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huia
EntityQ285008· pop 37· linked from 623 articles

Also known as Heteralocha acutirostris

The huia ( ; ; Heteralocha acutirostris) is an extinct species of New Zealand wattlebird, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. The last confirmed sighting of a huia was in 1907, although there was another credible sighting in 1924.

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Huia Buller.jpg
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taxon name
Heteralocha acutirostris
Commons category
Heteralocha acutirostris
Commons gallery
Heteralocha acutirostris
taxon common name
uía
short name
H. acutirostris
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Article

16 sections
Contents
  • Taxonomy and etymology
  • Description
  • Distribution and habitat
  • Ecology and behaviour
  • Movements
  • Feeding and ecology
  • Voice
  • Commensals and parasites
  • Social behaviour and reproduction
  • Relationship with humans
  • In culture
  • Extinction
  • References
  • Bibliography
  • Further reading
  • External links

The huia ( ; ; Heteralocha acutirostris) is an extinct species of New Zealand wattlebird, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. The last confirmed sighting of a huia was in 1907, although there was another credible sighting in 1924.

It was already a rare bird before the arrival of Europeans, confined to the Ruahine, Tararua, Rimutaka and Kaimanawa mountain ranges in the south-east of the North Island. It was remarkable for its pronounced sexual dimorphism in bill shape; the female's beak was long, thin and arched downward, while the male's was short and stout, like that of a crow. Males were long, while females were larger at . The sexes were otherwise similar, with orange wattles and deep metallic, bluish-black plumage with a greenish iridescence on the upper surface, especially about the head. The tail feathers were unique among New Zealand birds in having a broad white band across the tips.

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