Most Expensive Feather in the World Sold at New Zealand Auction

A single feather of the extinct New Zealand Huia bird has set a world record and was auctioned for 46,521.50 NZD (28,417 USD). According to the auction house Webb's, the feather, originally estimated to be worth up to 3,000 dollars, exceeded the previous record by 450%. The huia feathers are sacred to the Māori and were traditionally worn as headdresses by chiefs and their families. The huia, a small wading bird known for its distinctive white plumage, was last seen in 1907. The auction house ensured the preservation of the feather by framing it with UV protection glass and archival paper. High local interest drove up the price and it could only be acquired by licensed collectors. Experts noted that the historically rare Huia was popular among European collectors, contributing to its eventual demise.