Huia

Huia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Passeriformes Family: Callaeidae Genus: Heteralocha Species: acutirostris
Binomial name
Heteralocha acutirostris

The Huia was a bird that was native to New Zealand. It is now extinct, the last confirmed sighting being in 1907. Its distinctive black and white tail feathers were often worn by Maori chiefs as a sign of their status. This custom was later adopted by Pakeha women as a symbol of social standing. The visit of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII to New Zealand in 1905 produced a frenzied demand for huia feathers among all classes of social climbers and the bird was reported extinct shortly afterwards.