Callaeidae

Huia ( Heteralocha acutirostris ) † Illustration John Gerrard Keulemans, from A History of the Birds of New Zealand, 1905

The lobes Birds ( Callaeidae ) are a family in the order of perching birds ( Passeriformes ).

In this family there are three genera and three species, one of which is extinct and two are endangered. The blame for this and are probably the introduced predators and rodents, hunting and destruction of their habitat, such as large parts of the forests of New Zealand. The hunting of Māori on the Huia has the stock early significantly reduced. In particular, the black tail feathers with white tips were the tribal chiefs as a headdress. The clearing of forests by European settlers for the sheep should have then led to the final disappearance.

Cloth birds live in the forests of New Zealand. The name derives from the fleshy, bright colored skin flaps were on both sides of the beak. The legs are long and strong, in contrast to the weak wings. The birds jump from branch to branch or flutter and jump on the forest floor and looking for insects, berries and fruits.

Genera and species

• Philesturnus Saddle bird, saddle back, rags Star or Tieke ( Philesturnus carunculatus )

• Cloth crow or kokako ( Callaeas cinerea)

• Huia or Lappenhopf ( Heteralocha acutirostris ) †