Kiwi ingenuity: Devoted Kiwi bird dad turns garden shed scraps into egg nursery

A Kawau Island resident recently got the shock of their life after finding a feathered guest had moved into their garden shed.

Tucked into a corner of a shed, images show a North Island brown kiwi had created a makeshift nursery using a mix of plastic, paper and whatever else he could find.

The male Kiwi was watching over an egg. For Kiwi, it’s the males who take on incubating duties once an egg is laid. It usually takes around 75-80 days before hatching - it’s a long shift for dad.

According to Auckland Council, he was spotted for weeks sneaking out in the quiet and dark night to feed before returning to look after the egg.

And despite not paying rent, they even had visitors in the shed -  a weka stopped by to have a nosey.

Concerns were raised about the egg’s progress, so a small team, including Dr Juan Cornejo from Auckland Zoo and Lisa Tolich, Auckland Council’s Principal Specialist – Natural Environment Operations, made a visit to check in.

The male was away at the time, and sadly, the egg was cold and no longer viable. Candling showed it had developed to around 55 days - almost full term - but there were no blood vessels feeding it.

“It’s always disappointing when an egg doesn’t make it, especially when dad has put in such a monumental effort,” said Tolich.

But every nesting attempt tells us something important about how our kiwi are doing and reminds us of just how resilient and determined these birds are.

Despite the heartbreak, the shed-squatting kiwi has been spotted on camera alive and well. Hopefully, next season, he’ll get another shot at egg-sitting.