Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 150 - 220 (2011) and increasing.
Status EN
Red deer Cervus elaphus that competes for tussock, predation by introduced stoat Mustela erminea, introduced brush-tailed possum Trichosurus vulpecula and the threatened Weka Gallirallus australis, and habitat degradation are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Voice
A slow and deep 'coo-eet'. A deep 'oomf' uttered in alarm.
South Island Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) [XC214590]
by Dan Lane from Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand (call)
South Island Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) [XC295407]
by Dan Lane from Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand (call)
Subspecies
Porphyrio mantelli (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Porphyrio mantelli (North I, New Zealand, extinct) and South Island Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri) (extant) following Trewick (1996). Note that in BirdLife International (2000) the name Porphyrio mantelli was incorrectly assigned to the extant form, while the name Porphyrio hochstetteri was incorrectly assigned to the extinct form.
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
hochstetteri (Meyer, 1883) - South-western South I, New Zealand.
mantelli! Owen, 1848 - North I, New Zealand. Extinct. Considered by some authors to be a distinct species, North Island Takahe (Porphyrio mantelli).
Similar Species
Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) which is much smaller and flies.
References
See References.
BirdLife International Species Factsheet