Weka

Weka are a flightless New Zealand native bird.  They are often mistaken for kiwi by tourists, but are not related at all.  The weka is a rail.

Like magpies, weka are serious collectors and will steal virtually anything left outside.  They will also come inside and steal things, but when cornered they will squirt out a stream of sh*t - that reeks!  So best to keep your doors shut when they're about.  On the West Coast people don't have "baby gates", the have "weka barriers".

We don't have weka in Canterbury so I'm always excited when I see them anywhere, and there are dozens of them here in Mokihinui.