Because the female is the larger bird, the male needs her full co-operation. She crouches low with her head stretched forward and resting on the ground. The male taps or strokes the female on her back, near the base of her neck. However, if she is interested, mating takes place, three or more times a night during the peak of activity. If uninterested she may run away, or use her greater weight and size to see him off. With no colourful plumage or a beautiful song to attract his mate, the male kiwi has developed the strategy of persistence. The positive result is that Operation Nest Egg birds are helping boost rowi’s small population more quickly.
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Operation Nest Egg breaks these family ties, which means young birds released back into the sanctuary are free to mate sooner. It is thought that this is because wild-raised rowi live in family groups, with young birds staying in their parents’ territory for several years to help raise their siblings. Birds that are re-released into their wild home tend to breed at an earlier age than those raised by their parents.
In rowi, Operation Nest Egg has changed some breeding behaviour. Wild females lay their first eggs at 3-5 years of age. In the wild, kiwi usually do not breed until much older. In captivity, male kiwi can reach sexual maturity at 18 months, while females can lay their first eggs when they’re about three years old. The exception is brown kiwi in the North Island, which can lay eggs in any month. The main breeding season runs from June to March when food is most plentiful. Divorces can be caused by breeding failures or if birds are young and early in their breeding career. Every third day or so the pair comes together to share a burrow, and at night they perform duets, calling to each other.ĭivorces also happen, especially in high-kiwi density areas in Northland.
Kiwi partnerships have been known to last longer than 20 years. Fhe female is bigger and dominates the male. Kiwi are unusual among birds because once they’ve bonded as a pair, they usually stay together as a life-long monogamous couple. Stewart Island tokoeka are unusual among many kiwi varieties because they live in small mixed-age family groups. In the leaner coastal sand dunes, family groups can command 50 hectares, while in food-rich tussock grassland of Mason Bay, just five hectares will do. The size of the Stewart Island tokoeka’s territory varies depending on food supply. For example, Rowi and Haast tokoeka have the largest territories: up to 100 hectares. The size of territories ranges between two and 100 hectares, depending on the species and their location. To avoid a confrontation, kiwi speed back into their home zone before returning their neighbour’s call. Birds call to mark the edge of their territory and the sound can carry several kilometres. Once territories are established, border disputes are usually resolved by less dangerous means. A kiwi’s sharp claws and powerful legs and feet can inflict fatal wounds. They involve high jumps and slashing blows, kicks and tears. Male kiwi fiercely protect their patches, so fights can be very rough. A male kiwi needs a territory before he can attract a mate.
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