• About KCC
    • Contact
    • Join Our Mailing List
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Blog
    • KCC Mailbox
  • Membership Options
    • Transition to Forest & Bird Youth
    • Members-only Area
  • Activities
    • Activity ideas
    • Quizzes and Games
    • KCC Book Reviews
    • KCC Stories
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Citizen Science Projects
    • Competitions
  • Wild Things Magazine
  • Join Us!
  • Renew membership!
Kiwi Conservation ClubKiwi Conservation Club
Kiwi Conservation ClubKiwi Conservation Club
  • About KCC
    • Contact
    • Join Our Mailing List
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Blog
    • KCC Mailbox
  • Membership Options
    • Transition to Forest & Bird Youth
    • Members-only Area
  • Activities
    • Activity ideas
    • Quizzes and Games
    • KCC Book Reviews
    • KCC Stories
    • Puzzle Answers
    • Citizen Science Projects
    • Competitions
  • Wild Things Magazine
  • Join Us!
  • Renew membership!

The Pūkeko

September 13, 2020 Posted by Kiwi Conservation Club

By Chris (age 11) from Howick Intermediate


“Pūkeko” is the Māori name for the purple swamp hen, and I think they’re pretty cool.

SONY DSC

My grandparents live right next to a river. When I go for sleepovers, I see the pūkeko come up and peck at the lawn. I see a lot of pūkeko when I stay there.

I like the way their blue feathers shine in the morning sunlight, and the way they walk down to the river and wade in the shallow water looking for crabs.

There is a walkway close to my house which has a river right next to it. When we go for bike rides, they are just walking around in the bushes next to us. Sometimes they run across the path, so we have to slam on the brakes. They even flap their wings and kind of jump to get out of the way of people on their bikes.

Some pūkeko can be quite friendly. I have found this when we go to places like Western Springs pond. With all the people around, they get used to seeing people. They also get fed bread which is not good for them but it does mean they become less scared of humans. Since pūkeko hang around at the public park, pūkeko also seem to eat the rubbish people leave behind.

Although pūkeko have become some what friendly, I still think they should stay wild and people should not feed them stuff that is bad for them like rubbish and junk food, so that they can live longer. That way we can all enjoy their funny nature and interesting habits.

Share
6

You also might be interested in

Pāua, They’re Sticking Around

Pāua, They’re Sticking Around

Nov 20, 2017

KCC YOUTH REPORT by Nixon The pāua was twisting on[...]

Lockdown Observations

Lockdown Observations

Oct 15, 2021

I noticed all the birds coming back again I to[...]

Oscar’s BioBlitz
Oscar with a green gecko (Photo by Megan Norris)

Oscar’s BioBlitz

May 26, 2016

Eight year old KCC member Oscar  tells us about his[...]

Latest posts

  • Molly the praying mantis
    Molly the praying mantis
  • Videos from Bounty Trough
    Videos from Bounty Trough
  • Plastic Pollution
    Plastic Pollution

Categories

Become a KCC Reporter

We're looking for talented young writers to become KCC reporters and share their love of nature with kids across New Zealand. Think you have what it takes? Learn how to submit a story.

Search

Get in Touch

Send us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

Send Message

Search

Privacy Policy

KCO Login