Kiwi bird egg

Kiwi life cycle Over millions of years, with no mammal predators, kiwi adapted to life on the ground. They make their homes in many different environments, from snowy mountain tussock lands and coastal sand dunes, to mossy forest floors and rough farmed grasslands. Kiwi have been described as breeding machines because they produce huge eggs with the consistency of battery hens. Take away the predators, particularly stoats and dogs, and kiwi could be successful once again. Which came first: the chick or the egg? Adult kiwi set up a territory, prepare a nesting burrow and then mate. When the female produces her huge egg (or two), in some species like the North Island brown kiwi, only the male incubates it. When the egg hatches, a fully feathered chick emerges to face its first few days of life. A male kiwi needs a territory before he can attract a mate. Male kiwi fiercely protect their patches, so fights can be very rough. They involve high jumps and slashing blows, kicks and tears. A kiwi’s sharp claws and powerful legs and feet can inflict fatal wounds. Once territories are established, border disputes are usually resolved by less dangerous means. Birds call to mark the edge of their territory and the sound can carry several kilometres. To avoid a confrontation, kiwi speed back into their home zone before returning their neighbour’s call. Territory size The size of territories ranges between two and 100 hectares, depending on the species and their location. For example, Ro...

One of 11 North Island brown kiwi released at Mākara in Wellington last year has laid the region's first wild kiwi egg in over 100 years. File photo Photo: DOC / Rod Morris A wild kiwi egg has been laid in Wellington for the first time in more than 100 years. Last November, 11 North Island brown kiwi were The project leader, Capital Kiwi's Paul Stanley Ward, said they had been followed weekly through transmitters on their legs. • • • • The team were interested in looking at the welfare of the birds in that environment, he said. "We're wanting to know that they're happy in the wild, some of these birds have been in a captive environment for most of their life." Ward said the birds were all accounted for at present, eating well, and in an exciting discovery, an egg was found in a recent check-up. "That is our first wild kiwi egg on those hills in a very long time. For the team and for the hundreds of landowners, the locals, and the iwi mana whenua who have supported this project it's some pretty sweet news for the new year." The last recorded kiwi in the region was in the Tararua Range in about the mid 1870s, Ward said. "As our kiwi managers will tell us - you can't count your kiwi until they hatch but it is a significant moment and something that we're very excited about."

• Share • Tweet • Pin The humble little kiwi is a New Zealand treasure- so much so that residents were named after the iconic bird. Kiwi are also one of the most interesting birds that you’ll find on New Zealand’s shores; here are 20 fun facts about the kiwi bird, and why they are one of the most unique birds in the world. >> Read my ultimate guide to planning a trip to New Zealand 20 fun facts about the Kiwi bird 1] Kiwi cannot fly! Due to their small wings and underdeveloped breast bone, kiwi are unable to fly and thus live in burrows and dens on the forest floor. 2] There are five types of kiwi: Brown Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi, Rowi and Tokoeka. The Rowi is the rarest type of kiwi, with only 450 still alive in New Zealand today. 3] Kiwi are ratites- a group of mostly large, flightless birds. They are related to emu and the extinct moa, and their closest relative is the elephant bird from Madagascar. Kiwi are among the smallest ratites, a fully grown adult measuring 14-18 inches and weighing 1-2 kilograms. 4] There are 68,000 kiwi left in New Zealand. They are an endangered species, and there are kiwi sanctuaries and breeding programmes throughout New Zealand. 5] On average, 2% of kiwi die each week [hat’s around 20 kiwi each week]. It is estimated that only 5% of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood. 6] Compared to the size of kiwi, their eggs are huge! A kiwi egg is approximately 20% of the female’s body size. 7] The males actually sit on the egg until ...