I went to the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua, Aotearoa yesterday, and I can't recommend it enough if you can go during the hatching season. We got to watch little baby kiwi, Blinky Bill, get their daily weigh in, I felt blessed (Kiwis are nocturnal and to get to see them up close is a privilege). The photo above is not Blinky Bill but another kiwi who went through the program, who was unable to walk comfortably due to a foot deformity, but they made them little orthopedic bird shoes, and they worked.
Edit: if you want to donate to the National Kiwi Hatchery click here. One of the more expensive donations allows you to name a kiwi, if you want to name one after your blorbo.
If you have poor eyesight, you have something in common with the kiwi! This species of bird is nocturnal, and they rely on other senses light smell and hearing to find their prey. As a result, most kiwis have extremely poor vision, and there's even small but healthy population of completely blind individuals. The best part? Scientists believe the gene responsible for the reduction in vision is the Sonic hedgehog gene.
(Image: A North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) by Tui de Roy)
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