Huia

The huia had black feathers, with white on the tips of the tail feathers, and a bright orange wattle.
It was well known for the difference in bill or beak size - the female's curved bill could grow to up to 104 mm, one-third longer than the male's shorter straight beak (about 60 mm). The bird itself was about the size of a magpie.
The huia used its beak to dig into rotten logs or under the bark of trees for grubs and other insects.
19th century naturalists observed that the huia was found, usually in pairs, in the forest canopy and also on the forest floor. It moved about more on foot than flying. The name "huia" is thought to come from the sound the bird made, a shrill whistle.
It was once found throughout the North Island, but by the time of European settlement it was only in the lower half of the island, suggesting that numbers had declined after the arrival of the Māori and before the arrival of Europeans.
The survival of the huia, whose numbers were already declining, was threatened by the introduction of predators such as rats, stoats, dogs and cats.
Another threat to the huia was the number of hunters and collectors. Huia were killed so that they could be stuffed and put on display in private homes as well as museums.
Traditionally only Māori chiefs were allowed to wear huia feathers, and to wear the beak or tail feather of the huia was thought to be a great honour. When not in use the huia feathers were kept in a specially carved box called a "waka huia".
In the 1880's Māori chiefs put a tapu on the huia, making it illegal under Māori law to kill the bird, but Europeans continued to hunt it.
In 1888 a total of 646 huia were killed in one month in forest on the Wairarapa Coast. In 1892 a law was passed banning the killing or capture of huia in New Zealand, but enforcement of the law was weak.
The Duke of York was presented with a huia tail feather when he visited New Zealand in 1902, recognising his status as a great chief. He wore it in his hatband, and the fashion created a huge demand for the feathers.
It is also possible that myna birds, introduced from India in 1875, may have been carrying ticks which transmitted a disease to the huia.
The last proven sighting of the huia was in 1907.

For more information see

New Zealand's extinct birds: Gill, Brian
The natural world of New Zealand: an illustrated encyclopaedia of New Zealand's natural heritage: Hutching, Gerard
Huia Fact Sheet: Kiwi Conservation Club