In early February, the National Zoo's very successful Kiwi breeding program continued in their contributions to the conservation of this rare flightless bird hailing from New Zealand. The chick was born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Front Royal campus. The facility, which is not open to the public, is designed with the sole purpose of breeding rare and endangered species.
Photo credits: Chris Crowe / Smithsonian National Zoo
The National Zoo is one of the foremost experts in the world when it comes to the breeding of Kiwis. Back in 1975, the zoo was the first facility outside of New Zealand to hatch one of these precious chicks. As experts, they are often tasked with helping with helping other zoos hatch their eggs. This chick came from an egg that was shipped over to their facility in January from the Columbus Zoo.
Kiwis are difficult to sex, so researchers sent out shards of the egg shell for genetic testing to help make this determination. The results came in...it's a girl! Caretakers have reported that this little girl is doing well. She is very active, eating and drinking well, and gaining weight each and every day.
New Zealand’s Pukaha Mount Bruce received an early Christmas present when
their third white Kiwi chick hatched at the national wildlife center.
North Island Brown Kiwis with white plumage are extremely rare. This chick is the third white Kiwi ever born
in captivity, according to center officials. The center is the same nursery
where Manukura, the first white Kiwi and Mauriora, a second white Kiwi, was
hatched in December last year.
The staff knew that the eggs, which were collected from the wild, had come
from Manukura’s brown-feathered father, so they knew there was a 25%
possibility of another white Kiwi, but it still came as a surprise.
A small number of North Island Brown Kiwi carry the recessive white gene
which both the male and female must have to produce a white chick.
All three white chicks have the same father, who has been identified through
his transmitter. Though the identity of the mother can’t be told for certain,
center staff assumes she is the same because of the rarity of the white gene.
There is a one-in-four chance of such a pair producing a white chick.
Local Maori iwi Rangitane o Wairarapa are delighted that Pukaha Mount Bruce
has been blessed a third time. “We have always known the reserve at Pukaha
Mount Bruce is a very special and spiritual place, this third white Kiwi is
confirmation of what we have always known,” Rangitane chief executive and
Pukaha board member Jason Kerehi said. The iwi will name this special chick
over the next few days.
This white Kiwi is the seventh Kiwi chick to have hatched at the centre so
far this season, and many more are expected. Another egg currently incubating
in the nursery is from the same nest as this white Kiwi chick, so there is a 25%
chance of a fourth white chick.
Within the Pukaha Mount Bruce reserve, Kiwis live as they would in the wild,
but all males are tracked with transmitters because they incubate the eggs. Any eggs laid are taken to the center for
incubation. Chicks are hand-reared and
returned to the forest when they are about eight months old.
There are five species of Kiwi, all native to New Zealand, and all
populations are declining. To protect
the wild birds, a number of conservation programs, like this one at Pukaha Mt Bruce,
have been established. These shy,
nocturnal, flightless birds are the national symbol of New Zealand.
A second, rare, white Kiwi hatched on the morning of December 18 at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Willdlife Center. Like it's sibling, Manukura, this little one has received a special and meaningful name -- Mauriora, meaning ‘sustained life’. It hatched in the Wildlife Center's nursery, where Manukura – the world's first white kiwi hatched in captivity – came along in May.
Called a powerful name by Rangitane chief executive and Pukaha board member Jason Kerehi, he added, "This new kiwi is seen as an assurance that we are blessed with more than one special creature and there is potential for more."
Conservation Department captive breeding ranger Darren Page said it was pretty unusual that two kiwis with the rare gene to produce white chicks had managed to find eachother and mate within the 940-hectare Pukaha forest - not even once, but twice over two seasons! "Both white birds have the same father, who we have identified through his transmitter," he added. "We can't identify the mother but assume she is the same because of the rarity of the white gene."
Eleven kiwi have hatched at the center so far this season and of the two kiwi eggs incubating in the nursery, one is from the same nest as Mauriora. Keepers are waiting to see what that brings.
Photo Credit: Mike Haydon and Pukaha Mount Bruce National Willdlife Center
Find more pictures and information after the jump.
A third Kiwi chick hatched at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Jul. 17, marking the first time an institution in North America has successfully hatched three kiwi in one year. The Columbus Zoo’s first hatching of the North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) occurred less than four months ago on March 23, while the second hatched on June 25, 2011.
This newest little chick, a female, is currently being cared for behind-the-scenes. The first two chicks are both males and have been given names reflecting their native New Zealand; “Ariki” (ah-ree-kee), meaning first-born or chie,f and “Toa” (to-ah) meaning warrior. The oldest of the chicks, Ariki, can be seen in the Zoo’s Roadhouse nocturnal habitat for a few hours each day.
Only seven kiwis, including the three at the Columbus Zoo, have hatched in the past five years in North America. The Columbus Zoo is only the third zoo in North America to successfully hatch a kiwi chick since the first one hatched at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in 1975. There are now six kiwis at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and a total of 22 kiwis in three United States zoos.
Photo Credit: Grahm Jones/Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Earlier this month, the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Center in New Zealand welcomed a rare white Kiwi chick. Named Manukura, the 8 ounce chick exhibits a recessive gene, which makes its hair-like feathers appear white instead of the typical brown color. White Kiwis are rare in the wild. Pukaha Center officials think this may be the first white Kiwi ever born in captivity.
The Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Center works to protect and restore native flora and fauna, which includes a Kiwi breeding and reintroduction program. To help contribute to the care of little Manukura, and future Kiwis, consider donating here or at least friend the little bird on Facebook!
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has achieved another significant first with the successful hatching of a North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) on Mar. 23, 2011. The Columbus Zoo is only the third zoo in North America to successfully hatch a Kiwi chick since the first one hatched at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in 1975 and this chick is only the fifth kiwi to successfully hatch in as many years.
Photo credits: Columbus Zoo
“The fact this egg successfully hatched is a testament to the amazing care and attention given by our staff in consultation with professional colleagues around the world” said Columbus Zoo and Aquarium President and CEO Dale Schmidt. “Like an expectant parent, kiwi expert Kathy Brader from Smithsonian’s National Zoo rushed to Central Ohio to be here and assist our team with the newly hatched chick.”
One of the world’s most endangered species, a brown kiwi, hatched at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s Bird House, early Tuesday morning, March 30. The chick spent yesterday in an incubator but today was was transferred to a specially designed brooding box. The box will be not be on exhibit, but is accessible via the Zoo's webcam. Since kiwis are nocturnal, the best time to view the chick exploring and foraging in its box will be in the evening.
Photo credits: Mehgan Murphy / National Zoo
Love kiwis and looking for an excuse to visit Washington DC? Check out the National Zoo's Meet a Kiwi program!
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