Bird Guide

Buff-banded Rail vs Weka

Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis)

Buff-banded Rail

Gallirallus philippensis

Medium206 gWetland

It is a largely terrestrial bird the size of a small domestic chicken, with mainly brown upperparts, finely banded black and white underparts, a white eyebrow, chestnut band running from the bill round the nape, with a buff band on the breast. It utilises a range of moist or wetland habitats with low, dense vegetation for cover. It is usually quite shy but may become very tame and bold in some circumstances, such as in island resorts within the Great Barrier Reef region.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: patrickkavanagh · CC BY 2.0
Weka (Gallirallus australis)

Weka

Gallirallus australis

Large876 gForest

Weka are large rails. They are predominantly rich brown mottled with black and grey; the brown shade varies from pale to dark depending on subspecies. The male is the larger sex at 50–60 cm (20–24 in) in length and 532–1,605 g (1.173–3.538 lb) in weight. Females measure 46–50 cm (18–20 in) in length and weigh 350–1,035 g (0.772–2.282 lb). The reduced wingspan ranges from 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24 in). The relatively large, reddish-brown beak is about 5 cm (2.0 in) long, stout and tapered, and used as a weapon.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Sonogram of the Weka
Recorded by craig wilson · Call · Birchfield, Buller District, West Coast Region, New Zealand · CC BY 4.0
Photo: Gallirallus_australis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) · CC BY 2.0

Where you might meet both

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Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: Buff-banded Rail and Weka.