Takahe Bird

About Takahe Bird:

• It is hailed as one of the world’s rarest creatures native to New Zealand.
• They have been an intrinsic part of New Zealand’s ecosystem since the prehistoric Pleistocene era, as evidenced by fossil remains.
• Their population nosedived during the late 1800s when European settlers came along with their animal companions— stoats, cats, ferrets and rats. 
• The birds had been formally declared extinct in 1898. It was rediscovered in 1948 in several remote valleys on New Zealand’s South Island, and their numbers have been steadily growing since then.
• Features:
  • They are large, stout birds with vibrant plumage.
  • They have predominantly blue feathers on their bodies, green wings, and a large red beak.
  • Their legs are pink, and they have a white undertail.
  • Size: They grow up to the size of a large hen and can weigh as much as 3kg.
  • Breeding: They breed only once a year, raising one to two chicks.
  • Lifespan: They live up to 18 years in the wild and 22 years in sanctuaries.
  • Diet: They live on a high-fibre diet of starchy leaves and seeds.

Q1) What is the Pleistocene era?

The Pleistocene epoch is a geological time period that is part of the Quaternary period. It is one of the more recent epochs in Earth’s history and is known for being a time of extensive glaciations and significant climate fluctuations. The Pleistocene epoch lasted from approximately 2.6 million years ago to around 11,700 years ago, when it gave way to the Holocene epoch, our current epoch.

Source: Prehistoric bird declared extinct decades ago makes return to the forests of New Zealand

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