# South Island Takahe (*Porphyrio hochstetteri*)

> The South Island takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri) is a flightless purple swamphen of New Zealand alpine tussock, once thought extinct until rediscovered in Fiordland in 1948. Adults weigh about 3 kg, graze tussock stems, and are Endangered under intensive translocation to sanctuaries and islands.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Endangered
- **Range:** Alpine grasslands of New Zealand's South Island; also sanctuary islands.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/takahe/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Gruiformes
- **Family:** Rallidae
- **Genus:** Porphyrio

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Porphyrio hochstetteri |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Alpine tussock grasslands |
| Lifespan | Around 20 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 3 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 10 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Endangered (IUCN) |

## Flightless swamphen giant

Stockier than pukeko, with a massive red bill for shearing tussock. Wings are reduced; birds walk and run through alpine grassland. Thought extinct for decades before the 1948 Murchison Mountains rediscovery.

## Tussock stem grazer

Diet centres on the soft bases of snow tussock and other alpine grasses and herbs. Supplementary feeding supports some managed populations. Across its range it is tied to alpine tussock grasslands, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Fiordland and sanctuary islands

Native alpine grasslands of New Zealand's South Island; birds also live on predator-free sanctuary islands and fenced mainland sites after translocation.

## Endangered conservation dependent

Stoats and deer devastated Fiordland birds. Captive breeding, stoat control, and island releases keep takahē Endangered but increasing under the Takahē Recovery programme.

## Frequently asked questions

### Was the takahē extinct?

It was widely thought extinct until a Fiordland population was rediscovered in 1948.

### Can takahē fly?

No — they are flightless rails adapted to walking in alpine grassland.

### What do takahē eat?

Mainly the bases of tussock grasses and other alpine plants.

### How is the takahē being saved?

Stoat control, captive breeding, and moves to predator-free islands and sanctuaries.

### Where do takahē live now?

Managed sites on the South Island and several sanctuary islands in New Zealand.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/takahe/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.