Subantarctic Snipe

The Māori have legends about the hokioi or hakawai, a mythical bird which was only heard. Supposedly a giant bird of prey, this image was influenced by tales of the then-extinct Haast's Eagle and the loud noises attributed to the hokioi. However, Miskelly demonstrated that the tiny New Zealand Snipe was responsible for producing the loud rushing or screaming heard at nighttime during its mating flight, similar to the Common Snipe's winnowing and entirely out of proportion in loudness to the bird's diminutive size. Miskelly et al. describe it as

The Subantarctic Snipe is classified as Near Threatened (NT), is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.

Subantarctic Snipe, is a species of snipe endemic to New Zealand. The nominate race is found on the Auckland Islands (excluding the main island). Other subspecies include C. a. huegeli which is found on the Snares Islands, and C. a. meinertzhagenae which is found on the Antipodes Islands. More

Subantarctic Snipe is uncertain, but it seems reasonable to consider the 3 or 4 isolated populations as endemic subspecies: Auckland Island Snipe (C. a. aucklandica), Snares Island Snipe (C. a. heugeli), Campbell Island Snipe (C. a. nov. sp. ), Antipodes Island Snipe (C. a. meinertzhagenae). Sadly, two additional forms, Stewart Island Snipe (C. a. iredalei) and North Island Snipe (C. a. barrierensis) are considered extinct. More

short climb to the plateau where a Subantarctic Snipe had been found; a small snipe that scuttled through the megaherbs like a mouse, preferring to run rather than fly. Southern Royal Albatrosses bred on this flat area, the colony though was small compared to what lay ahead on Campbell Island. The shorter walk ended looking out at a cliff face where a pair of stunning Light-mantled Albatross had their nest. More