Pukeko Chick & Parents, Travis Swamp, Christchurch

Pukeko parents and chick at Travis Wetland.

Pukeko, one of the flightless native bird species, are wetland and swamp habitat birds. When they take "flight" from a disturbance or threat their white under feathers in the tail can be seen.

The pukeko is similar in appearance to the endangered takahe but is more common though in urban settings is likely to be low in numbers. About half of the pukeko population in the Christchurch area live in the Travis wetland during the winter.