Collector’s Fancy Tickled by Rare Feather, Sells for a Record $46,500
At an auction in Auckland, a feather from a huia—an extinct New Zealand bird with highly prized plumage—sold for $46,521 (US$28,365) to an unknown buyer, setting a record price for the most expensive feather ever sold at auction.
Weighing approximately 9 grams, the feather fetched $5,169 per gram compared to $127 for a similar weight of gold.
Previously, the highest price for a huia feather was set in 2010 at $8,400. This particular feather was estimated to sell for $2,000 to $3,000 but surpassed expectations.
Stuffed huia pair sold in Britain for $466,000 last year, despite public calls to return them to New Zealand.
Considered a taonga tūturu (authentic treasure), the feather is registered with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage and can only be purchased by registered collectors in New Zealand, and cannot leave the country without permission.
The huia, the largest of five New Zealand wattlebird species, was about the size of a magpie and had distinct features, including its prized long tail feathers.
Hunted to extinction by Māori and settlers
The huia bird, named by Māori for its distinct distress call, went extinct in the early 1900s due to hunting by both Māori and European settlers.
Its tail feathers were highly valued for clothing and decorations, particularly among chiefs and high-ranking individuals.
In the 1890s, protection measures were put in place but poorly enforced, leading to the decline of the huia population.
At the auction, the feather’s excellent condition was attributed to its high price, protected with archival paper and UV glass.
The origin and history of the feather remain a mystery, and details about the vendor and buyer are confidential, both being registered collectors in New Zealand.
Bidding at the auction was done by phone or online, with no international bids. The conclusion of the bidding process was met with applause, highlighting the significance of the sale.
