First whio duckling in over 15 years

First whio duckling in over 15 years

We are so pleased to announce the arrival of the first whio (blue duck) to be hatched in captivity at Pukaha Mount Bruce in over 15 years.

The only one of four eggs to hatch, the whio duckling is being raised with three other 'exotic' ducklings. The duckling's mother is now sitting on another clutch of eggs and we are hoping for a better hatch rate from the second clutch.

As yet we are unsure of the sex of this whio but at approximately 6 months old a male whio will whistle when picked up and a female whio will grunt.

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