Key Takeaways
- A pair of rare native New Zealand takahē birds, believed to be infertile, have hatched a "miracle" chick at the world’s largest urban eco-sanctuary, Zealandia.
- The chick, roughly seven weeks old, was discovered in November, but its arrival was kept secret to ensure its safety.
- Takahē are a unique and unusual bird species, with only 500 individuals remaining in the wild, and are part of New Zealand’s longest-running endangered species program.
- The chick’s parents, Bendigo and Waitaa, were considered a non-breeding pair, but have proven to be "textbook model parents" to their new chick.
- The arrival of the chick is significant for the threatened takahē population, as every new individual is valuable in the efforts to conserve the species.
Introduction to the Miracle Chick
A pair of rare native New Zealand takahē birds, believed to be infertile, have stunned staff at the world’s largest urban eco-sanctuary, Zealandia, after hatching a "miracle" chick. The roughly seven-week-old chick was discovered inside the sanctuary in November, but its arrival has been a closely guarded secret to ensure its safety. The chick sports a shock of fuzzy black down, comically large white legs and claws, and a black beak with a tiny white tip. This unexpected arrival has brought joy and excitement to the staff at Zealandia, who have been caring for the chick and its parents.
The Unique Characteristics of Takahē
Takahē are a unique and unusual bird species, known for being the world’s largest living rail. They are a family of small to medium-sized ground-dwelling birds with short wings, large feet, and long toes. Takahē breed just once a year and resemble Australasian swamp hens, or pūkeko in New Zealand, but are in fact their chunkier, flightless, mountain-dwelling cousin. The birds once roamed the South Island, but were thought extinct at the turn of the 20th century, until they were rediscovered in 1948. Since then, they have been part of New Zealand’s longest-running endangered species program, which has slowly rebuilt their population to 500.
The Parents’ Unexpected Breeding
The chick’s father, Bendigo, and mother, Waitaa, arrived at the sanctuary two years ago as a non-breeding pair. After an unsuccessful nesting attempt in 2024, staff did not expect the couple to breed. However, in October, Waitaa disappeared, which was a clue that she may be nesting. Some weeks later, staff heard cheeping in a dense patch of bush and set up a trail camera, which confirmed the chick’s existence. Jo Ledington, Zealandia’s conservation and restoration manager, was "gobsmacked" by the news, calling it a "miracle" that they were not expecting at all.
The Chick’s Development and Significance
The parents have been "textbook model parents," doting on their new chick, whose sex is not yet known. The chick has entered its "dinosaur phase," with long and chunky legs and a beak that is getting its adult shape, which looks "a bit dinosaur-ish" on its small downy body. At three months old, the chick will start to look more like an adult takahē, which stands at roughly 50cm tall. The adults are rotund, with red legs and a large beak, and are covered in green and blue feathers. The chick’s arrival is significant for the threatened takahē population, as every new individual is valuable in the efforts to conserve the species. Like many New Zealand birds, takahē evolved without land mammals and are vulnerable to attacks from introduced predators.
The Importance of Zealandia Sanctuary
The sanctuary does not typically house breeding takahē pairs because it does not have the grassland habitat the birds like to nest in. However, Bendigo, Waitaa, and their chick are Zealandia’s only takahē residents, and their presence has brought attention to the importance of conservation efforts. Native species thrive within Zealandia’s fences, and the sanctuary is credited with creating a bird-life boom in Wellington. The success of the takahē breeding program at Zealandia is a testament to the sanctuary’s unique environment and the dedication of its staff. When asked if there was something in the sanctuary’s water that contributed to the surprise breeding, Ledington laughed, saying that "Zealandia is a pretty special place, so yes, maybe."
