About the Weka
The weka, also known as the Māori hen or woodhen is a flightless bird species of the rail family. It is endemic to New Zealand. Some authorities consider it as the only extant member of the genus Gallirallus. Four subspecies are recognized but only two (northern/southern) are supported by genetic evidence.
Source: Wikipedia
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Gruiformes |
| Family | Rails, Gallinules, and Coots (Rallidae) |
| Species | Gallirallus australis |
| Species Codes | weka1, WEKA |
| Conservation | VU Vulnerable |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Weka belong to?
The Weka (Gallirallus australis) belongs to the Rails, Gallinules, and Coots family (Rallidae), in the order Gruiformes.
What is the conservation status of the Weka?
The Weka is classified as "Vulnerable" (VU) by IUCN Red List.
How can I identify the Weka?
The weka, also known as the Māori hen or woodhen is a flightless bird species of the rail family. It is endemic to New Zealand. Some authorities consider it as the only extant member of the genus Gallirallus. Four subspecies are recognized but only two (northern/southern) are supported by genetic ev...
Where can I report a Weka sighting?
You can log sightings of Weka on eBird (ebird.org) using species code weka1, or on iNaturalist.
Related Species in Rails, Gallinules, and Coots 156 species
More Birds in Order Gruiformes
Quick Stats
Spotted a Weka?
Log your sighting on eBird or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier!