Weka Birds

Description:

The weka bird is brown with bits of black and gray. The brown varies from pale to dark. Their wingspan ranges from 50 to 60 cms. The weka reproduces sexually. The female lays threeish egg and both and parents incubate. Their strong legs help them to travel as they can't fly. Some of the areas that the weka lives in are also home to the North Island kaka, the whio and the karearea. Weka birds have a symbiotic relationship with ferns, grass and other small plants. They hid in the coverage. This is commensalism, the birds get protection and the plants don't care.

Habitat:

Weka birds occupy areas like forests, sand dunes, rocky shores and sub-alpine grasslands. Their food includes leaves, berries, seeds, mice, spiders, snails and earthworms. Wekas are hunted by ferrets, cats and dogs.

Notes:

I saw these birds on my trip to New Zealand a few years ago. They were very curious and would come very close to us (especially when we had food).