Bush Wren

Xenicus longipes

The bushwren, also known as the mātuhituhi in the Māori language, is an extinct species of diminutive and nearly flightless bird that was endemic to New Zealand. It had three subspecies on each of the major islands of New Zealand; the North Island, South Island, and Stewart Island / Rakiura and nearby smaller islands. The species disappeared gradually after the introduction of invasive mammalian predators, last being seen on the North Island in 1955 and the South Island in 1968. Attempts were made to save the remaining population on small islands off Stewart Island, but they ultimately failed with the death of the last remaining known birds in 1972.

Scientific name

Xenicus longipes

Family

New Zealand Wrens

IUCN status

EX