I think the NZ national bird should be the Pukeko instead of the Kiwi.
Kiwis: small, nocturnal flightless birds, are almost extinct in NZ having been decimated by cats, stoats, rats and other small carnivores (like possums) brought to the islands by man. They can't defend themselves and while unusual looking, they just aren't very cute. (sorry!) I have seen Kiwis at the zoo in a nocturnal exhibit. With a few faint green lights, you could barely see the slow moving Kiwi foraging around. Whoopee. The exhibit is boring and so are Kiwis. New Zealand people are far from boring. New Zealanders are competitive, tough, independent and self reliant. They deserve a better national symbol...
I see daring Pukekos, daily, around grassy fields and at the edges of the motorways. They are out there, living, breeding and surviving despite cars and despite man's impact on their environment.
Kiwis? Will not make it without man to rescue it, breed it and put it on little islands - free from any predators - to survive. Without man: kiwis will go extinct soon.
Pukekos? Adapt and thrive - without man's interventions: they just get on with it. Now THAT is independent spirit of New Zealanders I know!
What qualities should be revered in a national bird?
The U.S.A. has the beatiful, fierce bald eagle. (picked a good one)
India: the peacock. (beautiful, but not much for fighting I think)
South Africa: blue crane. (large, blue, aloof...)
Canada: haven't decided between a loon & red tailed hawk. (right)
Australia: defiantly have NO national bird (ok...)
Mexico and Romania: both have golden eagle (is that allowed?)
Poland: white eagle (eagles are popular bird for a symbol, eh)
Nicaraqua: the turquoise browed motmot (points for interesting name)
Other countries pick animals (more on Wikipedia here)
Why have a symbol?
I adore Pukekos: they are featured in all sorts of artwork everywhere in NZ, so I'm not alone.
The gorgeous and cheeky Pukekos are flourishing alongside man.
The Pukeko is smart, brave and adapts to the ever changing NZ environment.
What is a Pukeko?
"The Pukeko, or New Zealand Swamp Hen is a member of the rail family, and is similar to other species found all over the world. It is one of the few New Zealand native birds to have flourished since the arrival of man, and can be found in almost any grassland area, especially in swampy locations. Groups will often be seen foraging for food in road-side areas.
With their bright blue plumage and red beaks, they easily stand out against the New Zealand greenery, particularly when their white tail feathers begin flashing in alarm. Just why they have struck a chord with the Kiwi psyche is hard to say, but you'll find their images on all manner of art and craft works. Ask any visitor to New Zealand what bird they remember most, and they will more than likely answer, "The Pukeko!" "
Bit of footage of Pukekos in the NZ wild:
Expert NZ animal trainer Mark Vette shows how his smart Pukekos were trained as stars for the Genesis Energy commercials:
Check out how the finished ad turned out:
The Pukeko is smart, brave and adapts to the ever changing NZ environment.
What is a Pukeko?
"The Pukeko, or New Zealand Swamp Hen is a member of the rail family, and is similar to other species found all over the world. It is one of the few New Zealand native birds to have flourished since the arrival of man, and can be found in almost any grassland area, especially in swampy locations. Groups will often be seen foraging for food in road-side areas.
With their bright blue plumage and red beaks, they easily stand out against the New Zealand greenery, particularly when their white tail feathers begin flashing in alarm. Just why they have struck a chord with the Kiwi psyche is hard to say, but you'll find their images on all manner of art and craft works. Ask any visitor to New Zealand what bird they remember most, and they will more than likely answer, "The Pukeko!" "
Bit of footage of Pukekos in the NZ wild:
Expert NZ animal trainer Mark Vette shows how his smart Pukekos were trained as stars for the Genesis Energy commercials:
Check out how the finished ad turned out:
Some observations from a NZ historical (1800s) journal:
"The Swamp-hen may fairly be considered one of the best of our native birds. The brightness of its plumage and the extreme elegance of its movements at once arrest and please the eye, while, on the other hand, it is in very good repute as a game bird. It is interesting to watch it as it strides proudly about, balancing its body with ease on its long slender legs, jerking its head gracefully, and flirting its tail with every movement."
Maybe when Kiwis becomes extinct in the NZ wild (and they will) yet Pukekos still remain, NZ can adopt them as the national bird. They deserve a bit of respect and admiration. Despite the odds and predators; they have adapted to the changing environment on their own and live happily alongside man in NZ. That represents what NZ is about.
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