New Zealand fernbird

New Zealand fernbird
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Locustellidae
Genus: Megalurus
Species: M. punctatus
Binomial name
Megalurus punctatus
(Quoy & Gaimard, 1830)
Synonyms

Bowdleria punctata

The New Zealand fernbird or simply fernbird (Megalurus punctatus) is an insectivorous bird endemic to New Zealand. The Māori names are kōtātā or mātātā. It is a rich brown above and white below, with brown spots on both the throat and breast. Early settlers called it the "swamp sparrow" no doubt because of its colouration.[2] The tail feathers are thin, dark brown, and spine-like. The birds reach a length of 18 cm (7 in) - as measured from tip of beak to end of tail. However,almost half of that is tail[2]

The New Zealand fernbird is a ground-dwelling bird, and is a reluctant flier, travelling mainly on foot or in occasional short flights of less than 15 metres. In the 19th century Buller described it as "one of our most common"[2] (birds) but it has been adversely affected by the subsequent widespread destruction of its natural (wetland) habitat following European settlement and is now rare[2]

There are six fully protected sub-species of New Zealand fernbird:

Megalurus rufescens (the Chatham fernbird) is believed to have become extinct circa 1900.

The birds nest in sedges or other vegetation close to the ground, making a deep woven cup of dried rushes lined with feathers. Breeding occurs from September to February, producing clutches of 2-3 pinkish-white eggs with brown or purple speckles.

Place in Māori culture

Māori revered the fernbird as an "oracle" or "Wise bird" (Manu tohu).[2] The calls of the bird were interpreted as heralding success or failure in daily activities such as fishing but on a more serious level could also portend prosperity and health or disaster and death.[2]

References

  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Bowdleria punctata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Wetlands of New Zealand; A Bitter-Sweet story", Janet Hunt, Random House, 2007


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