Pukeko - modern-day velociraptors
King of the paddock and river bank, pukeko (Porphyrio melanotus) remind me that the blood of dinosaurs flows through their veins. They have strutted over the Earth’s surface as velociraptors before hominids were even a blip on the evolutionary radar. Even their yips and crowing are like the sound effects from Jurassic Park (they probably are the sounds effects from Jurassic Park). They are beautiful with their regal blue and black plumage, but their eyes have that glint of intelligent thuggery and hard casual menace, like if you fell asleep on the wrong part of the river bank a gang of them would pounce and eat your face off. This severity is tempered by their fluffy white bottoms. People get down on them because they eat the odd bird – typically fledglings or ducklings – but give them a break; they are mostly vegetarian and have come a long way since they were apex predators only 70 million years ago. On the plus side, they will happily have a go at a cat or stoat roaming into their territory, which probably saves more ducklings than they kill. Look at it like having an almost benign overlord that you have to make the occasional sacrifice to for the good of the village.
Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
-
9.8% Yes! New Year, New Me
-
22% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
-
68.1% Nah - not for me
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
-
78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
-
21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
I dance in the sky with green and gold, a spectacle few are lucky to behold; I’m best seen in the south, a celestial sight—what am I, lighting up the New Zealand night?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Loading…
