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The
'Akekeke's breeding season begins in mid-April
and goes through August. During this time, there
is a dramatic change in plumage. They develop
bright ruddy markings on their upper parts,
giving the bird the name "Ruddy Turnstone". Red,
orange and black colored feathers cover their
back. Black and white striated markings are on
its head. The 'Akekeke's chest is solid black
and its throat is white.
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The
'Akekeke nest in mudflats. Its' nest is a hollow
in the ground lined with grass and lichen. They
usually lay four greenish brown speckled eggs in
a clutch. The eggs average 1.66 x 1.18 inches in
size. In
mid- June the 'Akekeke build "dummy nests", with
final nests scraped before or during laying. The
nests fom previous years are not
reused.
It takes
20 days for the eggs to hatch. The Ruddy
Turnstone eggs are olive colored and spotted
with brown. Once the chicks hatch, it takes
19-21 days until they can fly .
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BACK
TO 'AKEKEKE
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