takahe

[ tuh-kahy, -kah-ee ]

noun

1. notornis.

takahe

/ ˈtɑːkəˌhiː /

noun

1. a very rare flightless New Zealand rail, Notornis mantelli

Word History and Origins

Origin of takahe¹

First recorded in 1850–55, takahe is from the Maori word takahē

Word History and Origins

Origin of takahe¹

from Māori, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Last week, 18 takahe were released in mountains in South Island to try to boost a small population in the wild.

From BBC

Celebrity endorsements saw Stephen Fry for instance back the kakapo - of which there are only 150 animals left - while Bill Bailey supported the takahe.

From BBC

But four takahe birds were shot dead instead.

From BBC

There are only about 300 takahe birds left in the world, and the species was thought to be extinct as late as 1948, Radio New Zealand reports.

From BBC

Conservationists have long worked to control the populations of the takahe's predators - stoats, feral cats, ferrets and rats.

From BBC