My old favourite that I have possibly photographed more than any other bird.
It concerns me greatly that the spread of Weka a larger cousin is making a hole in the Rail population.
I was slammed for this suggestion a few years back but those same people need come back and do a census now
.Where just two years ago on the grass verge near the Ohiwa boat ramp six or more birds could be found foraging out on the grass beside the swamp on a wet day , sadly now nothing is seen there except the odd Weka.
Weka were once much more widely spread and common and of course so were these birds however a balance was found as it does before man interferes.
Once that balance is gone species disappear very quickly as not only predation becomes more selective, but food source's are unbalanced and and the slide begins downward.

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A very capable hunter that has taken a liking to domestic pigeons so now often seen close to towns & cities.
If one gets close to a nesting pair be on guard as they will bomb you and rip your scalp open defending their young.
As happened to me a few years back.

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trusting, confiding little bird of the bush.
As a boy I remember these little chaps along with Tomtits being always around ,hoping about on tree stumps or following along with Fantails as one walked taking advantage of insects disturbed.
Nowadays not so much due to predation mostly.
I do not mean to be negative but its such a serious problem and good science is needed to solve.
The dropping of indiscriminate poisons is temporary in effect and damaging to the environment

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Normally a parrot of the bush, nosey, noisy and full of mischief, can't you tell.
These birds used to be like most natives, filling the bush with their sound and presence and though greatly exploited for food held their own.
However de-forestation and predators did the rest to finish the job.
So today so very few may be found living naturally in their original habitat, though doing well in protected sanctuaries.

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Beautiful, cheerful birds that rarely stay still therefor not easy to photograph.
A bird of the South, much reduced in range and threatened by predators and a host of other man made threats including the newly formed Govt of NZ cutting a huge chunk from the conservation budget will do immeasurable harm.

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