NZ bird art, illustrations and bird merch by New Zealand bird artist Melissa Boardman
Five little titipounamu chicks
I actually can’t believe I’m typing this. After many months and hundreds of hours observing a little titipounamu (rifleman pair) on Te Ahumairangi Hill I have the absolute best news, the pair managed to fledge five chicks!
Titipounamu have a maximum of five chicks in a clutch, so this is the best possible outcome and I am so happy for the little family.
I have been keeping watch over this titipounamu pair for months. Back in August I discovered they were building a nest, then a few weeks later figured out they were incubating eggs and I even managed to pinpoint the day their eggs hatched. Since then I have continued to check on them regularly, to see if I could figure out when the chicks would fledge in the hopes of catching it on camera.
Needless to say I spent a lot of time that week near the nest patiently waiting and watching for signs of fledging. Then on one morning I got there extra early, it was still quite dark, I sat down in my observation spot and got comfortable. I saw the female (Mum) bird take food into the nest, and there was no response. My heart absolutely sank. My mind raced with what was going on, I would have been devastated if the nest had been attacked by a pest. I waited and watched as the Mum went back and forward to the nest, then eventually I heard them, the chicks from inside the nest. I immediately felt a rush of relief, the chicks were ok, phew! They must have been asleep when Mum was trying to take them food, they were still quiet for a little while, then they woke up and all started making a lot of commotion.
Knowing the chicks were still ok I could breathe a sigh of relief, then suddenly I saw a hint of movement inside the nest. Suddenly one of the chicks popped it’s little head out of the nest! This was the moment the tiny titipounamu chick was seeing the world outside the nest for the first time, and I was there to watch it unfold. I realised I was witnessing possibly the most special moments in a young birds life, their journey into the big wide world.
The most adventurous of the chicks quickly dashed back inside to the comfort of the nest, but then popped out again for another look. Then another one came, I was trying to figure out how many chicks there were and at the same time be still and quiet so I wouldn’t disturb them. They didn’t seem to notice me with my camera huddled behind a tree thankfully, and they continued to ponder whether they should leave the comfort of their nest or not. I’m extremely excited to say that I managed to film the amazing moments the chicks left the nest! This is quite a feat, as it could have happened any time of any day within the space of a week.
Check out my Instagram post for fledging highlights: I’ll be uploading the full video to YouTube soon.
Once the chicks fledged I stayed in my hidden spot. I didn’t want to follow them around immediately after they fledged so I left them and their parents alone for a while so they could spend some time together without me lurking behind them. I could hear the commotion of the family as they moved around in their territory then I realised they had settled in one spot. When the chicks huddle together it’s the most wholesome thing to witness, and I even managed to get a photo of all five chicks huddling together!
Since the day the chicks fledged I have visited the family several times and I’m pleased to say they’re all still together. To be honest I’m dreading the day that I go to see them and there are only one or two chicks left. This is a natural part of the process though and the chicks will soon start to venture off on their own. They have such a big patch of native forest to explore on Te Ahumairangi Hill and I really hope they settle close to their parents territory.
These past few months have honestly been the most rewarding moments of my life. Watching this family has brought me so much joy and I’ve loved being able to share it with everyone. Last week was pretty exhausting and I was checking on the nest twice a day to make sure I didn’t miss the chicks fledging and I’m so glad it paid off.
The good news is that the proud parents will be starting on a new nest shortly and I’m ready to start this all over again, bring it on!
