| Three unique wattlebirds, the kokako, saddleback and huia are part of the ancient Callaeidae family. |
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| But since the huia was extinct, I had to search for years for another species that would enable me to investigate that hypothesis. |
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| It is believed Smith was the last person to have seen the now-extinct huia, whose tail feathers were used by Maori chiefs as a symbol of their mana. |
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| Other species, including the remaining varieties of huia, the kiwi, the flightless rail, the takahe and the kakapo are all on the verge of disappearance. |
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