New Zealand coot facts for kids

The New Zealand coot (Fulica prisca) was a type of bird that used to live only in New Zealand. It belonged to the rail family, called Rallidae. Sadly, this bird is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists.

A New Zealand expert named Augustus Hamilton first described this bird in 1893. He found parts of the bird, like bones, in 1892 near the Ōreti River in a place called Southland. The name prisca comes from a Latin word meaning "old." This name was chosen because the bird's remains were found as very old fossils. Bones of the New Zealand coot have since been discovered in many places across both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand.

Understanding the New Zealand Coot's Family Tree

The New Zealand coot and its close relative, the Chatham coot (F. chathamensis), are both part of a group of birds called coots. Scientists know this by looking at special parts of their bones, like the pelvis (hip bone) and the humerus (upper arm bone). These bones have features that are typical of coots.

For a while, scientists debated how these two coot species were related. Some thought they were completely different species. Others believed they were just types of the same species. There was even an idea to put them in a brand new group called Nesophalaris. However, in 2002, two scientists named Trevor Worthy and Richard Holdaway studied them carefully. They suggested that both the New Zealand coot and the Chatham coot should be considered separate species.

What Did the New Zealand Coot Look Like?

The New Zealand coot was similar in shape to coots you might see today. However, it was quite a bit bigger than most living coots. It weighed about 1.8 kilograms (4 pounds) and was around 40 centimeters (16 inches) long. Even though it was large, scientists think it could probably still fly.

This coot was also more of a land bird than many other coots. Its bones have been found in places like inland forests and high subalpine areas, not just in wetlands near the coast.

Scientists have also found bones of the New Zealand coot in old Maori food piles, called middens, along the coast of Marlborough. This suggests that early Maori people hunted these birds for food. It is very likely that too much hunting led to the New Zealand coot becoming extinct.