Tasmanian nativehen

{{short description|Species of bird}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{speciesbox | name = Tasmanian nativehen | image = Gallinula mortierii 1.jpg | image_caption = male | image2 = Tasmanian Native-hen.jpg | image2_caption = female | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2018 |title=''Tribonyx mortierii'' |volume=2018 |article-number=e.T22692900A132063003 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22692900A132063003.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref> | genus = Tribonyx | species = mortierii | authority = [[Bernard du Bus de Gisignies|du Bus de Gisignies]], 1840 | range_map = Tasmanian Native-hen-Dist.gif | range_map_caption = Distribution | synonyms = ''Gallinula mortierii'' }}

The '''Tasmanian nativehen''' ('''''Tribonyx mortierii''''') (alternative spellings: '''Tasmanian native-hen''' or '''Tasmanian native hen'''), also known by its [[palawa kani]] name '''{{lang|mis|piyura}}''',<ref name=tac>{{Cite web |title=Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre – Tasmanian Aboriginal place names |url=https://tacinc.com.au/tasmanian-aboriginal-place-names/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628122704/https://tacinc.com.au/tasmanian-aboriginal-place-names/ |archive-date=2022-06-28 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=tacinc.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref> is a [[flightless]] [[Rallidae|rail]] and one of twelve species of birds [[endemism|endemic]] to [[Australia]]'s island state of [[Tasmania]]. Although many flightless birds have a history of [[extinction]] at the hands of humans,<ref>{{cite journal|last=Boyer|first=Alison G. |title=Extinction patterns in the avifauna of the Hawaiian islands|journal=Journal of Conservation Biology|year=2008|volume=14|issue=3|pages=509–517| doi = 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2007.00459.x|doi-access=free|bibcode=2008DivDi..14..509B }}</ref> the species has actually benefited from the introduction of European-style agricultural practices in Tasmania.<ref name=Ridpath1964>{{cite book | last = Ridpath | first = M. G. |author2=P. J. Higgins | title = The Tasmanian Native Hen | publisher = CSIRO, Division of Wildlife Research | location= Hobart | year = 1964}}</ref> Its success may also be attributed to the recent extinction of its main predator, the [[thylacine]].<ref>[https://theconversation.com/tall-turkeys-and-nuggety-chickens-large-megapode-birds-once-lived-across-australia-79111 Tall turkeys and nuggety chickens: large 'megapode' birds once lived across Australia] 14 June, 2017 10.49am AEST</ref>

== Nomenclature == The species was originally described in 1840 as ''Tribonyx mortierii'' — the ''mortierii'' being in honour of Belgian botanist [[Barthélemy Charles Joseph Dumortier]].<ref name="Marchant and Higgins 1993">{{cite book | last = Marchant | first = S. |author2=P. J. Higgins | title = Handbook of Australian and, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 2: Raptors to Lapwings | publisher = Oxford University Press | location= Melbourne | year = 1993}}</ref> The [[palawa kani]] name for the Tasmanian nativehen is {{Lang|mis|piyura}}, from the Swanport/Oyster Bay language region.<ref name=tac/> Local nicknames include narkie, waterhen and turbo chook, despite the species being in the [[Rail (bird)|Rallidae]] family and not being related to [[junglefowl]] or the [[Chicken|domestic chicken]].<ref>[http://www.zoo.utas.edu.au/tfprofiles/tasanimals/nativehen2.htm Tasmanian Native Hen.] University of Tasmania. Accessed 22-5-2009 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002000954/http://www.zoo.utas.edu.au/tfprofiles/tasanimals/nativehen2.htm |date=2 October 2006 }}</ref>

== Description ==

The Tasmanian nativehen is a stocky flightless bird between {{convert|43|and|51|cm|in|lk=out}} in length. The upperparts are olive-brown with a white patch on the flank. The underparts are darker with a bluish-grey tinge. The short tail is close to black and mostly held erect. The legs are thick and powerful, with a grey scaly appearance and sharp claws. The eyes are bright red. The bill has a small greenish-yellow [[frontal shield]].<ref name=Watts99>{{cite book |last=Watts|first=Dave |title=Field guide to Tasmanian Birds |year=1999|page=70 |publisher=New Holland Press |location=Frenchs Forest, New South Wales |isbn=1-876334-60-6}}</ref>

The juvenile bird is similar in appearance to the adult, though the colours are more subdued on the body and the underparts have fine white spots. The bill is greenish-yellow and the eyes bright red.<ref>{{cite book | last = Ripley | first = Sidney Dillon |author2=P.J. Higgins | title = Rails of the World | publisher = David R. Godine | year = 1977}}</ref> Male birds generally have longer bills and legs, though there is enough overlap that the sexes are indistinguishable, even in the hand.<ref name=Ridpath1964/>

===Voice=== The species has 14 separate calls, ranging from low grunts to high pitched alarm calls as well as a see-sawing duet performed in unison, rising to a crescendo of harsh screeching notes,<ref name="Marchant and Higgins 1993"/> It also calls at night.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Aberg |first1=Patrik |title=XC98484 Tasmanian Nativehen (Tribonyx mortierii) |url=https://www.xeno-canto.org/98484 |website=Xeno Canto |access-date=16 June 2019}}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat== The species is endemic to, and widespread in, Tasmania apart from the west and south-west regions. It is sedentary, living around open grassy areas close to water. It is not found on [[King Island (Tasmania)|King]] or [[Flinders Island]] in the [[Bass Strait]],<ref>Thomas, D. 1979. ''Tasmanian Bird Atlas''. Hobart: [[University of Tasmania]].</ref> though [[Michael Sharland]] does record it as being on Flinders Island.<ref name="Sharland 1958">Sharland, M. 1958. ''Tasmanian Birds: a field guide to the birds inhabiting Tasmania and adjacent islands, including the sea birds''. Sydney: Angus and Robertson.</ref> A population introduced to [[Maria Island]] is now well established. It is generally common and easily seen around bodies of water that have grassy verges.<ref name="Watts99"/>

Fossil records indicate that it was found on the Australian mainland until around 4,700 years ago. Suggested reasons for its [[Extirpate|extirpation]] have included human overhunting, the introduction of the [[dingo]],<ref name="Marchant and Higgins 1993"/> or an extremely dry period.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ford|first=Hugh A.|title=Ecology of Birds: An Australian perspective|year=1989|publisher=Surrey Beattie and Sons |location=Chipping Norton, New South Wales |isbn=0-949324-19-1}}</ref>

== Behaviour and social organisation == [[File:Tasmanian Native-hens, Bruny Island.jpg|thumb|Flock on the run, [[Bruny Island]]]] The nativehen's social organisation has been extensively studied. They live in groups of between two and five, plus the young birds from the previous breeding season, which tend to stay with the group and contribute to the care of the young until they move off to establish their own territories after approximately one year. The sedentary nature of the species means that groups hold sharply defined territories of up to {{convert|5|acre|ha}}, and repel transgression into their territory vigorously with calls and displays. Fights can also occur, where birds will jump, peck and kick at each other violently, sometimes drawing blood and pulling feathers.<ref name=Ridpath1964/>

Although flightless, the bird is capable of running quickly and has been recorded running at speeds up to {{convert|35|km/h|mph}}.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ridpath |first=Mg |date=1972 |title=The Tasmanian native hen, Tribonyx mortierii. I. Patterns of behaviour |url=http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=CWR9720001 |journal=CSIRO Wildlife Research |language=en |volume=17 |issue=1 |page=1 |doi=10.1071/CWR9720001 |issn=0007-9103|url-access=subscription }}</ref> It uses its wings when running fast to help it to balance.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher= Parks & Wildlife Service|title=Tasmanian Native Hen, ''Tribonyx mortierii''|url = http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=5126|website = www.parks.tas.gov.au|access-date = 2016-01-18}}</ref>

The breeding structure may be [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] or [[Animal sexual behaviour#Polygamy|polygamous]], usually [[Polyandry in animals|polyandrous]]. Each group contains a single breeding female who will mate with all the males of the group.<ref name="Marchant and Higgins 1993"/> The unusual social structure based on groups who stay together is not known to occur in many other species; the high ratio of male chicks to female chicks hatched is thought to be a possible explanation for this.<ref name=Ridpath1964/>

The breeding season begins in the period from July to September, depending upon rainfall and the availability of food. Birds will usually breed once per year, however in good years, with high availability of food, two broods may be produced.<ref name=Ridpath1964/><ref name="Sharland 1958"/> The nest is a rough, flattened grass mattress, among taller grasses and is usually built close to water, or on damp ground. With a clutch size of five to eight, the oval eggs measure around {{convert|56|x|38|mm|in}} and are a dull yellow or buff to brown with some spotting of reddish brown and lavender.<ref>{{cite book |author= Beruldsen, Gordon |author-link= Gordon Beruldsen | title = Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs | publisher = self | year = 2003 | location = Kenmore Hills, Qld | page = 210 | isbn = 0-646-42798-9}}</ref> As well as the primary nest, nursery nests are constructed with the purpose of roosting with chicks at night and as hiding places in case of predators.<ref name=Ridpath1964/> Chicks are covered in a dark brown fluffy down.

===Feeding=== The diet is mostly made up of grass shoots and the leaves of low herbs which it grazes during daylight hours.<ref name=Ridpath1964/> Birds will also eat insects, seeds and orchard fruit.<ref name="Marchant and Higgins 1993"/> The species has a reputation among farmers as an agricultural pest. The damage to agriculture was extensively studied in the 1960s by M Ridpath and G Meldrum, who found that although there is some damage to crops, rabbits were responsible for more damage. Many beliefs held by farmers about damage to crops were found to be unlikely, with damage probably caused by other species.<ref>Ridpath, M.G. and Meldrum G.K. 1968. ''Damage done to pastures by the Tasmanian Native hen, Tribonyx mortierii'', in CSIRO Wildlife Research, 1968, 13, 11–24.</ref>

The species is a secondary grazer, meaning that it depends on other species to keep grass swards low and with fresh shoots. Before European settlement in Tasmania, the cleared spaces required for feeding would probably have been provided by Indigenous burning of grasslands to provide feeding grounds for mammals, which would be hunted for food. The expansion of these cleared grassy areas, and the introduction of rabbits, has provided greater food sources and consequently greater numbers of the species within its range.<ref name=Ridpath1964/>

== Conservation and threats == The species is currently classified as a species of least concern by the [[IUCN]]. Although there is a healthy population size and no significant falls have been measured, there is concern about the possible arrival<ref>[http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3026 Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service - Foxes in Tasmania] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130413201954/http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=3026 |date=13 April 2013 }} Accessed 03-11-2011</ref> of the [[red fox]] in Tasmania and the potential impact that it would have on this and other species.

Since 15 August 2007 it has been protected under Tasmanian legislation. Prior to this it was one of only four native birds that had no legal protection in the state of Tasmania outside national parks and other reserves — the last of Tasmania's 12 [[endemism|endemic]] bird species with this dubious status. The three remaining unprotected native species are the [[forest raven]], the [[great cormorant]], and the [[little pied cormorant]]. All other native Tasmanian birds are listed as protected under the state's [[Nature Conservation Act]] 2002.<ref>[http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas/consol_reg/wr1999202/sch2.html Wildlife Regulations 1999 – Protected wildlife] Tasmanian Consolidated Regulations Accessed 01-11-2010</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Tribonyx mortierii}} *[https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/tasmanian-native-hen/ Birdlife Australia: Tasmanian native hen information] *[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-13/tasmanian-native-hens-thriving-despite-odds/100429844 ABC News: How Tasmania's 'turbo chook' native hen has survived, despite the odds]

[[Category:Tribonyx]] [[Category:Endemic birds of Tasmania]] [[Category:Flightless birds]] [[Category:Birds described in 1840]] [[Category:Taxa named by Bernard du Bus de Gisignies]]