Spotless Crake

Zapornia tabuensis, the pūweto, is a small dark native rail hidden in dense wetlands. It differs from Baillon’s crake through its mostly unspotted slate-black underparts and red eye. Adults are dark slate-grey below and brown above, with red eyes and reddish legs. The undertail shows narrow white barring when raised.

It occurs patchily through New Zealand wherever dense freshwater vegetation remains. Raupō swamps, sedge margins and wet rushland are typical habitat. It picks insects, snails and seeds from mud and vegetation. Birds are secretive and most often located by repeated calls at dawn or dusk.

The New Zealand classification is Declining. Zealandia and wetlands at Tawharanui Regional Park provide chances, especially by listening quietly.