ZooBorns: Kiwi. 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. Local Maori iwi Rangitane o Wairarapa are delighted that Pukaha Mount Bruce has been blessed a third time. Funny eCards, Personalized Birthday eCards, and Holiday Cards. Akinator, the Web Genius. Tastefully Offensive | Premium Funny: Shakespeare Insult Kit - StumbleUpon. Engrish.com.