13.12.2017: Getting close to Kiwis

Eric is eager to see Kiwis, New Zealand's national symbol, so our first stop today is the Kiwi Birdlife Park. Since the publication of my Lonely Planet guidebook, the entrance fee has been increased by a whopping 11 NZD, which leads to a brief moment of surprise at the ticket counter. But we are on vacation, so we can treat ourselves a little.

First, we have a show where a New Zealand pigeon (which grows much larger than our native ones), a tuatara (a living fossil from the dinosaur age), a morepork (a small nocturnal owl - its appearance in the show is unique), and a parakeet (a type of parrot) show off their skills.

Immediately after the show, we enter the Kiwi night enclosure, where we are served a late breakfast/early lunch. We manage to secure a front row seat and let our eyes adjust to the darkness. The two Kiwis here are a couple and usually share an enclosure, but the male was unwell and temporarily separated from his partner. The two flightless, nocturnal birds, equipped with the second-best sense of smell known among all bird species worldwide, occasionally peek over the low partition with their long beaks to see what the other is up to. When the keeper brings the food into the enclosure, both Kiwis run away and hide. Last year in Otorohanga (North Island), I witnessed a feeding session where a Kiwi attacked the keeper, trying to bury its beak in her leg and jump on her. These two specimens here opt for the unconventional method of running away instead.

After the feeding, we explore the rest of the bird park. A curious Pukeko crosses our path and takes a keen interest in my shoelaces, tugging and pecking at them.

Things get exciting again in the Kea enclosure, which houses two specimens of the world's most intelligent birds.

Just as we finish our tour, it starts drizzling and our stomachs start rumbling. We have lunch today at Domino's, a pizza chain. Afterwards, we stroll along the lakeshore and through the shops for a while before heading back to the hostel and to the stove for cooking.