The adzebills, genus Aptornis, are two closely related New Zealand bird species, the North Island adzebill (Aptornis otidiformis) and the South Island adzebill (Aptornis defossor), of the family Aptornithidae and were once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to the modern forests, swamps, and open woodlands of New Zealand to help boost biodiversity. The adzebills are most closely related to the native modern Gruiform birds and are part of the same order, with the trumpeters being the closest relative of the adzebill. The adzebills are about 80 cm in length with a weight of 18 kg, making them about the size of small moa (with which they are confused with) with enormous downward-curving and pointed bill, and strong legs. They are flightless and have extremely reduced wings, smaller than those of the dodo compared to the birds' overall size, and with a uniquely reduced carpometacarpus. The two species varied mostly in size with the North Island adzebill being the smaller species; their coloration consists of dull brownish-grays to help them blend in with the environments they live in. They are carnivorous and mainly feed on large invertebrates, lizards, tuataras and even small birds. The conservation status of both species of adzebills is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and historic invasive species, however, thanks to conservationists, the natural habitats of the adzebills have been protected and the invasive species like cats, rats, and mustelids have been completely eradicated from New Zealand to protect the native fauna of New Zealand.
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