Pukeko

Pastel on Canson paper ($POA)

30 cm W x 36 cm H
Our dog was a very well behaved cattle dog who as a rule didn’t chase wildlife or birds, but there was something about the “pukeko” which drove her crazy. The Australasian swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus) is a species of swamphen occurring in eastern Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand where it is known as the pukeko. They are a handsome bird of the wetlands, Conspicuous blue and black in colour with a gigantic red bill and forehead shield. They have large feet and white under tail feathers which they flick up and down when walking. They are very vocal, often making loud crowing calls and a range of other shorter squawks, including a single note squawk at night.