Manukura is a white variant, not an albino, a ranger said. The bird was hatched earlier this month.
New Zealand's national wildlife center is crowing about the appearance of Manukura, the only all-white kiwi chick among this year's large brood of 14.
The white bird hatched on May 1 at Pukaha Mount Bruce wildlife center, the highlight of the most successful breeding season since kiwi were reintroduced into the wild there in 2003, according to the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
"As far as we know, this is the first all-white chick to be hatched in captivity," Pukaha Mount Bruce Board Chairman Bob Francis said in a news release.
This is the first breeding season to include birds – 30 of them, none white – brought to Pukaha from Little Barrier Island to diversify the gene pool, he said.
"The kiwi population on Little Barrier Island has birds with white markings and some white kiwi, but this was still a big surprise," Francis said.
The center managed to hatch and release just 10 chicks between 2005 and last year, but the newcomers produced a bumper crop, the center reported.
"This first breeding season involving the Little Barrier kiwi has far exceeded expectations," Francis said. "Faster breeding is exactly what was intended by the transfer, but we're blown away by the number of chicks produced so quickly."
Although it's their national bird, few New Zealanders have ever seen a kiwi in the wild, according to an educational website. The flightless, nocturnal birds grow to 3 to 9 pounds, about the size of a chicken.
Manukura's name means "of chiefly status" in the Maori language, according to the center.
"Every now and then something extraordinary comes along to remind you of how special life is," said Jason Kerehi, the Rangitane tribe's chief executive and a Pukaha board member, in the news release. "While we're celebrating all 14 kiwi hatched this year, Manukura is a very special gift."
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lets hope it does not get any ideas about flying
What a little cutie!
people who use animals for clothing shuld get arested
What are your shoes made from?
People who use words they can't spell should be arrested.
I think that the Manukura is a really neat animal. It is the only all white Kiwi chick. I feel that this animial being hatched in captivity was meant for the best. Since the animal is so rare, it is easily able to be destroyed. Jason's comment in this article really hit me, and meant alot. He said "Every now and then something extraordinary comes along to remind you of how special life is." I think that this is the cutest kiwi chick i have ever seen! It remind sme of a litte puffball! (:
A beautiful Kiwi chick!
The white one gets all the TV time. Just like with people.
You must not watch UPN or TBS.
I am normally tired of people bringing the "race" thing into every flipping article....but that comment was pretty dang funny if you ask me!
Yeah just like MTV that used to have decent programming, and is now all trash and rap...well just trash.
It's a sign that England will beat New Zealand in the RWC!
I prefer green kiwis
I have those growing in my yard but they just are not as cute.
I prefer my Kiwi's to be around 34C-24-32
Yeah baby. We hope these white kiwis make a full recovery. he he
cool!!! lots of things comeing out in the world
May 1st Osama Bin Laden was killed, an hour later May 1st, Rare white kiwi hatches, hmmm reincarnation ?
I am glad you don't run a cult because you had me.....
If you are going to reply to someone being a dofus, include who you are responding to so when their post disappears you don't look like an idiot.
Hey, an instant spokesbird for white shoe polish.
O.M.G. Stirges are REAL. KILL it quick before it drinks your blood
White kiwis taste quite different to normal kiwis...