Eggs account for 15%! Pregnant Kiwi Mothers' "Weighty" Maternal Love

Did you know that despite their small size, kiwi birds lay eggs that account for 15% to 25% of the mother's body weight? This is the largest egg-to-body ratio among all birds! Let's explore some fascinating facts about kiwi birds.

Kiwi birds are endemic to New Zealand and are the country's national symbol. They are flightless, with feathers that resemble hair and poor eyesight. Instead, they rely on their keen sense of smell and long beaks to search for food on the ground. Although they are similar in size to domestic chickens, their eggs are about six times larger.

The kiwi egg is truly enormous, weighing approximately half a kilogram and occupying a significant portion of the mother's body. This makes it difficult for the female kiwi to eat during the incubation period, as the egg takes up most of the space in her abdomen. This is a remarkable example of maternal dedication.

After laying the egg, the mother kiwi passes it to the father, who takes on the role of a full-time caregiver. The male kiwi diligently incubates the egg in the nest, while the female kiwi acts as a security guard, patrolling the entrance of the burrow and occasionally taking breaks. The incubation period lasts about 63 to 92 days, with the male kiwi doing most of the work.

This unique parental arrangement has led locals to affectionately refer to devoted husbands as "Kiwi husbands", symbolizing reliability and dedication, much like the kiwi fathers.