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Huia (male and female)
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Huia (male and female)
Huia, Heteralocha acutirostris (male and female). Artwork by JG Keulemans from Sir Walter Lawry Bullers A History of the Birds of New Zealand, Vol.1 Plate 2 Date: 1888
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Media ID 14238669
© Mary Evans / Natural History Museum
A History Of The Birds Of New Zealand Buller Jg Keulemans John Gerrard Keulemans Keulemans Sauropsid Sauropsida Watercolor
EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning watercolor artwork by the renowned Dutch naturalist artist JG Keulemans, featured in Sir Walter Lawry Buller's "A History of the Birds of New Zealand" Volume 1, Plate 2 from 1888, showcases both the male and female Huia (Heteralocha acutirostris). The Huia, endemic to New Zealand, was a distinctive bird species with glossy black plumage, long, downward curved bills, and iridescent green and blue sheens on their feathers. The Huia was a beloved and culturally significant bird for the Maori people of New Zealand, who believed that the Huia's feathers had magical properties. The male Huia, depicted on the left, is distinguished by its elongated, curved, and slightly downward-pointing bill, while the female, on the right, has a shorter, more straight bill. The Huia was a forest-dwelling bird and was primarily omnivorous, feeding on insects, fruit, and seeds. The Huia was declared extinct in the wild in 1907, with the last known specimen collected in 1902. The exact cause of its extinction is not known, but habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and overhunting for its prized feathers are believed to have played a role. Today, the Huia is remembered as an iconic symbol of New Zealand's unique avian heritage, and efforts are underway to reintroduce the species through captive breeding programs and reintroduction efforts. This beautiful watercolor artwork by Keulemans not only serves as a testament to the Huia's striking appearance but also as a reminder of the importance of preserving the world's unique and irreplaceable natural treasures.
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