Banded Rail (Rallus philippensis)
Moho-pereru

Size: 30 cm, 170gm.

Description: Medium sized rail, like a mini Weka. Upper parts greenish brown and black with white spots. Underparts distinct bands of black and white. chin and and throat grey. White eye stripe with red eye and brown bill and legs. Can fly well but prefers to run.

Habitat: Saltmarshes and mangroves.

Status: Protected native. Locally common in coastal areas on the north of the North Island approx. 100 paris in 1980's. Very common on Great Barrier Island.

Breeding: September - March. 3-6 eggs. Cup shaped nest hidden in thick grass or rushes. Both sexes incubate. Chicks leave nest with parents 1 day after last hatching.

Where and how to photograph: The best place to see and photograph Banded Rail is on Great Barrier Island.

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