The Pukeko was traditionally a lowland swamp bird but has extended its territory to include the farming environment. They have incredible homing abilities. Although they are the size of a small hen, they are fast runners as they move through the vegetation and laboriously take off with their long legs hanging behind at first and then tucked back behind their tail area. They often eat parrot-style by holding their food in one foot. Although they live mainly on seeds and shoots and other similar vegetation, they also feed on small fish, birds and on the flesh of dead animals.
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