Habitat and diet[edit]

Weka occupy areas such as forests, sub-alpine grassland, sand dunes, rocky shores and

modified semi-urban environments. They are omnivorous, with a diet comprising 30% animal
foods and 70% plant foods. Animal foods include earthworms, larvae, beetles, wētā, ants,
grass grubs, slugs, snails, insect eggs, slaters, frogs, spiders, rats, mice, and small birds.
Stewart Island weka (G. a. scotti) have been observed preying on sooty shearwater (Puffinus
griseus) eggs and chicks.[16]
Plant foods include leaves, grass, berries and seeds. Weka are important in the bush as seed
dispersers, distributing seeds too large for smaller berry-eating birds. [17] Where the weka is
relatively common, their furtive curiosity leads them to search around houses and camps for
food scraps, or anything unfamiliar and transportable.[5] They have been known to take shiny
objects in particular.[18]

Breeding and nesting[edit]

Weka and chicks

The breeding season varies, but when food is plentiful, weka can raise up to four broods
throughout the whole year. Nests are made on the ground under the cover of thick
vegetation, and built by making grass (or similar material) into a bowl to hold about four
eggs. On average, female weka lay three creamy or pinkish eggs blotched with brown and
mauve. Both sexes incubate. The chicks hatch after a month, and are fed by both parents
until fully grown between six and ten weeks.[5][6]

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