Head to head
Weka vs Lord Howe Woodhen
The weka and Lord Howe woodhen are both flightless rails native to islands in the South Pacific, but their populations have moved in opposite directions in recent decades.
| Weka | Lord Howe Woodhen | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Gallirallus australis | Hypotaenidia sylvestris |
| Native range | New Zealand | Lord Howe Island only |
| Population history | Declining in parts of its range | Recovered from ~30 individuals |
| Key recovery tool | None comparable | Feral pig eradication, captive breeding |
| Diet | Omnivore, highly varied | Omnivore, insects and carrion |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Forest, grassland | Forest |
Weka vs Lord Howe Woodhen: common questions
Which species has had a more dramatic recovery, the weka or the Lord Howe woodhen?
The Lord Howe woodhen has had the more dramatic recovery, rebuilt from as few as thirty individuals through feral pig eradication and captive breeding, while the weka remains more widespread overall but has still declined in parts of its New Zealand range.
Why did the Lord Howe woodhen decline so severely in the first place?
Introduced feral pigs on Lord Howe Island preyed heavily on the woodhen and its nests, driving the population down to roughly thirty individuals before a dedicated eradication and captive-breeding program reversed the decline.
Do the weka and Lord Howe woodhen behave similarly around humans?
Yes, both species show relatively little fear of humans, a trait common among island birds that evolved for long periods without significant natural predators before introduced animals arrived on their respective islands.