Weka are large brown rails, about 50 centimetres long, with a strong tapered bill, sturdy legs and reduced wings. ... Weka are sometimes confused with the smaller banded rail. Unlike the weka, this bird has black and white horizontal bars on the underside, and can fly.

Are Wekas rare?

These weka were once widespread, but on the mainland they are now only found in the hills between Matawai and Opotiki where a few thousand survive. Since 2000, weka have been released near Russell, in the Whirinaki Forest and there is a small population on the margins of the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland.

Are weka active at night?

Some native birds are most active at dawn and dusk, including weka, kaka and blue ducks, or whio. Many seabirds are nocturnal, and some come ashore after dark during nesting and build burrows for their chicks.