Does my bum look big in this?

[Klickit]

Takahe (Porphyrio hochstetteri)

These beautiful birds were considered to be extinct in their home country New Zealand in 1848 after the last known four birds were killed. Why would you do that? However, in 1948 Geoffrey Orbell rediscovered them after a carefully planned search of the area they had been last seen in.
These birds are flightless and are the largest member of the Rail family, being 63 cm (24.8 in) in length and weighing from from 1.8-4.2 kg (4-9.2 lbs). As you can see, this makes for a very chubby looking bird.
The beautiful feather colours you can see here. This photo was made at close range when we visited the Maungatautari Restoration Project, which is a huge fully predator fenced inland "island" for some of our most endangered birds. Normally, you don't get to see them even there, as the enclosure is huge, but we chanced on the person feeding them when we arrived at the sanctuary.

[carregwen]

Hi Kit

Where have you been recently?

Lovely bird - I like the colours and the detail in the plumage

[Klickit]

Hi Kit

Where have you been recently?

We have been staying with rellies and then at a family wedding at a wee town called Te Aroha, so not a lot of time to get on-line. I'm hopelessy behind on what's happening here on CiC. But I'm hoping the next few weeks will give me more laptop time.

[Shadowman]

Very nice image, colors, title.

[Peter Ryan]

What a rare opportunity indeed. Great shot Kit. Tell me are his eyes that close together normally or was it just the lens you were using?

[Peter Ryan]

Being diplomatic - it is shot from the wrong angle to answer that question, so 'no it looks fine dear"!

[Klickit]

What a rare opportunity indeed. Great shot Kit. Tell me are his eyes that close together normally or was it just the lens you were using?

The eyes do look odd, don't they - kind of daft, elderly schoolmistress (with apologies to any D.E.Sm's who may view this) look. But it really is the way they are IRL. I think its made worse by the chubby body shape.

[Geoff F]

Yes, I can imagine a pair of pince-nez balanced on that long nose!