weka

[wey-kuh, wee-]

noun

1. any of several large, flightless New Zealand rails of the genus Gallirallus.

weka

/ ˈweɪkə, ˈwiːkə /

noun

1. Also: Māori hen.  wood hen. any flightless New Zealand rail of the genus Gallirallus, having a mottled brown plumage and rudimentary wings

Word History and Origins

Origin of weka¹

Borrowed into English from Maori around 1835–45

Word History and Origins

Origin of weka¹

C19: from Māori, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

The bird, a weka, has become extinct over large parts of New Zealand- and is a fully protected species.

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Miro seeds were evacuated after an average of 38 hours, while it took five days for the weka to pass the hinau seeds.

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They came across a weka, a small flightless native bird that ranger Andrew Lamason told the couple is New Zealand’s version of a monkey due to its “cheeky” nature.

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The couple strolled along on a sandy beach and came across a weka bird, with a ranger saying that they’re New Zealand’s version of a monkey because they’re very cheeky.

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The couple strolled along on a sandy beach and came across a weka bird, with a ranger saying that they’re New Zealand’s version of a monkey because they’re very cheeky.

Read more on Washington Times