This large flightless rail is endemic to New Zealand and adjacent islands. Vulnerable to introduced predators, it thrives on predator-free islands such as Ulva where we encountered this one on a small beach where it was completely fearless. This species is classified as vulnerable by IUCN because of continued steep declines on the mainland and continuing unabated threats. Four subspecies are currently recognized. This is G. a. scotti characterized by its smaller size. Our bird has an overall chestnut color with its underparts similar to its upperparts. This pattern is characteristic of the chestnut morph. Gray and black morphs also occur. Canon PowerShot SX50 HS.
References:
Beauchamp, A.J.; Miskelly, C.M. 2013. Weka. In Miskelly, C.M. (ed.) New Zealand Birds Online. www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz
BirdLife International. 2016. Gallirallus australis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22692384A93351412.
http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22692384A93351412.en. Downloaded on 08 February 2017.
Marchant, S. & Higgins, P.J. (editors) 1993. Handbook of Australian , New Zealand & Antarctic Birds. Volume 2, Raptors to lapwings. Melbourne, Oxford University Press. Pages 469, 486-488, 506-520; plate 41.
Taylor, B. & Sharpe, C.J. (2017). Weka (Gallirallus australis). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from http://www.hbw.com/node/53608 on 8 February 2017).