The cheeky native that could help to control our worst pests

A scallywag native bird may be a champion at eliminating some of our most common pests.

The cheeky weka could help restore native biodiversity by suppressing pest animals such as rats and mice. A study by Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research found weka were happy to munch on rats, mice, and even rabbits. Their findings suggest that weka might be a valuable tool for ecosanctuaries such as Zealandia and Maungatautari, which experience large increases in mouse numbers following the eradication of rats and stoats.

The only problem is the weka’s tendency to feed on native species, says study co-author John Innes from Manaaki Whenua.

“Ecosanctuaries often exclude weka because they’re worried about the impact weka may have on other native threatened species.”

The team reviewed all the evidence for weka eating native species. They found weka will eat native lizards, and the eggs and chicks of groundnesting birds, but very few studies had measured whether weka cause a decline in their populations.

“We need more studies that actually measure species density with and without weka so that we can understand whether they’re likely to have negative impacts on certain species,” says Dr Jo Carpenter. “Historically, our

The problem is the weka’s tendency to eat native lizards, and bird eggs.

native animals evolved and co-existed with weka and other native predators, like the giant Haast’s eagle. But now, many native species – including weka – have been much reduced by introduced mammalian predators. This means that some populations of native species may not be able to withstand native predators right now.”

However, the study also showed that weka are an essential part of New Zealand’s unique ecosystems and should be reintroduced to their native range where possible.