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Takahe

$99.00

Meet the Takahē

The Takahē is New Zealand's largest flightless bird and the world's biggest living rail species - a true conservation icon. Thought extinct for nearly 50 years, it was famously rediscovered in 1948 high in the tussock grasslands of the remote Murchison Mountains, Fiordland. With deep blue-green plumage, a white undertail, and a striking red bill and frontal shield, the Takahē is one of the most distinctive and colourful birds in Aotearoa.

Takahē are sturdy, ground-dwelling birds, well adapted for life among the tussock grasses they call home - feeding on grasses, seeds, and the occasional insect. Though they have wings, these are used only for display during courtship or as a show of aggression, never for flight. Their rediscovery launched New Zealand's longest-running endangered species programme, and remains one of the country's most celebrated conservation stories.

Each Takahē is handcrafted in Arrowtown by Jack Stobart - individually shaped from natural stone with carved timber and resin detailing, reflecting the bird's solid, rounded form and vivid colouring. No two are exactly alike.

Each piece has a threaded bolt set into the base, so it can be displayed however suits your space - perched on a post or ledge, or mounted onto an M6 rod pushed into a garden bed or pot plant.

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