Recent evolution of extreme sexual dimorphism in the huia (Heteralocha acutirostris; Callaeidae)

•The New Zealand wattlebirds (Callaeidae) show significant variation in bill shape with the extinct huia also exhibiting extreme sexual dimorphism in bill morphology.•Phylogenies based on genomic data recover the relationships within the family.•Molecular dating indicates that the family radiated within 5.3–8.6 Ma, similar to other endemic New Zealand avian families.•The large range of bill morphologies is not a consequence of longer divergence times but likely relates to the expansion of the huia into the wood foraging niche.