LITTLE WHITE KIWI

Common Name: albino North Island brown kiwi 
Taxonomic Classification: Apteryx mantelli
Found: Taupo, 1918.
 
Possibly albino, but more likely a form of leukism. Leukism is caused by recessive genes that prevent pigment cells forming in skin but does not affect eye colour. Albinism is the inability to produce pigment (melanin) within the cells and causes loss of colour in eyes as well as skin and hair, and is the rarer of the two. Pukaha Mt Bruce near Masterton has had five kiwi chicks, born from the same parents, that are leukistic.
 
Printed on 310gsm satin Hahnemühle PhotoRag. 100% cotton fine art paper, certified archival (200 years) Made in Germany. Printed with acid-free archival 11 colour high dynamic range, Epson UltraChrome pigment ink system.
 
A0 1200x800mm - 5 editions $ 1,700
A1 841x560mm - 10 editions $ 1,100
A3 420x280mm - 30 editions $ 450
 
All prints signed, hand-numbered and wax-stamped for authentication. Once the editions of a print are sold out there are no reprints ever released.
 
Object courtesy of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hiar.