I will nonetheless take note the primary time I noticed a weka right here in New Zealand. Touring across the South Island, I used to be staying in a adorable cabin within the woodland at the West Coast. On a moist, heat day, I left the doorways open, hoping for a breeze. First rookie mistake, guys: by no means go away the rest open when visiting the West Coast within the bush. You’ll be annihilated by way of sandflies.
Taking a look up from my e-book, I noticed that a large, fats brown chook had wandered within, poking round fearlessly. What is that this factor? I had no thought. I spent the following 10 mins shooing it round, looking to inspire it to return outdoor whilst it shat all over the place. No longer a just right first come across with the weka. Later I’d be told they may be able to poop their frame weight in an afternoon. Appreciate.
However they haven’t truly risen in my esteem till not too long ago.
Alternatively, I’ve simply returned from an journey at the Heaphy Monitor, the place, you guessed it, there have been heaps of weka. And up to I to find them tense, they’re a cheeky, amusing, charismatic chook that doesn’t get sufficient love. Permit me the danger to take a look at to redeem them.
New Zealand weka have such an perspective. They aren’t terrified of a lot, together with folks, and are very curious. They are going to come proper as much as you begging for meals (don’t feed them) and can clutch the rest for those who’re now not vigilant. That is round puts the place folks congregate; they’re rather less daring in additional far off spots.
Whilst I used to be having my lunch beneath somewhat safe haven at the first day strolling the Heaphy Monitor, I used to be temporarily swarmed by way of 4 weka. One used to be specifically courageous, coming proper as much as me, and once I attempted to shoo it away, it LITERALLY growled at me. Or regardless of the weka an identical of a growl is. Extra of an offended chuff-like shriek that sounds find it irresistible has smoked for 50 years. No matter. I understood what it supposed; now not backing down, this bold weka simply stared me down till I ended my crackers. What an influence transfer.
However you gotta hand it to them. In a rustic the place local birds are loss of life left, proper, and middle, the weka turns out to lack any sense of self-preservation. Are living unfastened or die!
Within the scheme of items in New Zealand, weka aren’t specifically horny birds. They’re now not fluffy and elusive like kiwi. They don’t have the pretty colours of the kea. They didn’t go back from the useless like takahē, nor do they get inebriated like kererū and fall out of timber.
However in their very own means, weka are stunning. And their chicks? Omg so adorable; they appear to be blackish-brown balls of fluff. And that’s pronouncing one thing as a result of now not all child birds are adorable. And they’re very attention-grabbing.
Huge brown flightless birds, the wily weka are forged, hefty creatures belonging to the rail circle of relatives. From time to time, the larger ones are nearly completely spherical, like a ball with legs. There are 4 subspecies, and their coloring levels from chestnut to tawny to darkish brown. Some have just a little of gray or black jumbled together there, too. When spooked, they frequently leap instantly up and run round, with their tail feathers sticking instantly up, making them glance nearly cartoonish.
The extroverts of the chook global have crimson eyes, which can be stunning but quite intimidating in the event that they’re looking at you.
Invertebrates and fruit include the weka’s major vitamin, they usually rip up grass and gardens alike foraging for meals. I will nearly see grumpy outdated folks yelling at disobedient youths to get off their lawns.
I’ve noticed weka chow down on useless issues, even grazing at the coastline and tide swimming pools. What’s just right is they consume rabbits, rats, and mice, which can be pests right here. However they’re going to additionally consume different lizards, birds, chicks, and eggs, which doesn’t endear them, particularly in the event that they pass after susceptible species. Weka play for their very own group.
On account of this predatory tendency, weka aren’t normally welcome on off-shore predator-free islands or eco-sanctuaries (regardless that some had been reintroduced to their very own islands). I feel that is interesting! Kicked out of the uncommon chook membership. Badass.
However on the other hand, folks nonetheless consume weka at the close by Chatham Islands, and there’s a little bit of a motion right here to farm them. And by way of just a little of a motion, I imply one rouge farmer who will die at the hill of eating on weka: “I’m ready to visit prison over it. You place me in prison, and you’re making a martyr of me.” Lol. I really like dwelling in New Zealand.
And right here we concept Australia used to be the one position to consume its iconic animal.
Anyway, we’re far off from chowing down on fried weka on the native pub. Do you fry them? Or is it extra like a roast? No thought. I simply googled it without a definitive solutions; I’m hoping I don’t finally end up on a listing someplace.
After all, weka are absolutely safe at the mainland right here, however they nonetheless face the similar threats our different local birds do, specifically predation, habitat loss, meals shortage/festival, and getting hit by way of vehicles. Their populations growth and crash, and their distribution has been shaken up so much. Some do adequate, others don’t. There’s a restoration plan to take a look at and go back them to their unique homelands. Deliver again the weka.
The gregarious weka have lengthy been important to a couple Māori iwi in New Zealand as a treasured useful resource for meals, oil, and feathers. Most of the early Eu settlers wrote about their large personalities and thievery. However what I truly wish to know is who they stressed sooner than folks got here right here.
Weka might not be instructed are living their lives. And I love that.
I will’t inform you how frequently I’ve met vacationers visiting New Zealand who rave about what number of kiwi they noticed within the wild: “OMG we noticed, like, 12 kiwi throughout the day in Punakaiki! So cool!” Our nationwide chook is gorgeous, fluffy, nocturnal, and, most significantly, endangered.
You noticed weka—a large number of weka. It truly depends upon my temper whether or not I burst their bubble or now not. I do like to right kind folks, however I’m operating on now not doing that such a lot, as I’m conscious it’s now not one in all my higher qualities.
However my temper this night is ruthless, so I hate to wreck it to you guys, however you might be by no means going to simply stumble throughout kiwi unintentionally, let on my own many. It’s a must to know the place they hang around, pass searching for them at evening, or even then, chances are you’ll now not see them. Rakiura/Stewart Island is without doubt one of the puts you’ve gotten a prime probability of seeing kiwi within the wild.
Alternatively, if we will be able to all get at the conservation teach, Predator Loose 2050, perhaps someday lets stumble throughout 12 kiwis within the wild. How cool would that be?
So, if I’m being truthful, weka have certainly risen in my regard. I’ve realized to disregard their annoying-ness in prefer in their feisty, take-no-prisoners demeanor. You’ll more than likely see them on a commute round New Zealand, and any revel in with weka is lovely amusing. Unstoppable, they’ve continued and made their mark on us in some ways. Particularly in the event that they as soon as stole your automotive keys.
They have got a novel tale and historical past and deserve to face tall in our canon of nationwide birds. Inspirational. Fearless. Defiant.
So possibly I’ll take a leaf out in their books and check out to stroll via lifestyles with the boldness of a weka.
