T¯ıtipounamu chicks spotted

Clutches of t¯ıtipounamu chicks, commonly known as the rifleman, have been spotted by Zealandia rangers this week.

The minute and very cute offspring were discovered in seven nests – two in provided nest boxes and the rest in natural nests.

Fully grown – as shown above – New Zealand’s smallest birds weigh in at about 6 grams each – less than a $1 coin. Their chicks grow inside an egg roughly 16 by 12 millimetres in size.

The birds will spend about 19 to 20 days incubating and a further 24 days inside the nest before they emerge to live within the pest-proof walls of Wellington’s ecosanctuary.

Sixty t¯ıtipounamu were released into the enclosure in March this year and an early start to the breeding season was ‘‘very exciting’’ for the population, Zealandia t¯ıtipounamu ranger Kari Beaven said.

That meant some birds may nest twice in one season.

‘‘They went through winter they would have selected their territory, determined who their mates were going to be . . . and then both the males and females will build the nests.’’

The female can lay one egg a day for up to five days, meaning some nests could have five chicks. Once they’re hatched the family will come in and help to feed the hungry chicks.

Rangers have watched the birds build nests and parents fly back and forth with food.

‘‘By the time they’re out of the nest, they will be the same size as Mum and Dad.’’

Their legs grow especially fast, Beaven said. That’s when they start to learn how to fly and look for food.

Zealandia director Danielle Shanahan said the t¯ıtipounamu were making themselves at home.

‘‘We are especially excited that some birds are building their nests in the boxes we have provided as it will allow us to monitor them very closely.

‘‘Our follow-up surveys suggest at least half the t¯ıtipounamu are settling in well in the valley. There are also a few birds that have flown just outside the sanctuary, with some seen in Birdwood Reserve.’’