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The Ultimate Egg
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Birds

Kiwi

Apteryx mantelli

About

New Zealand's iconic flightless bird is about the size of a chicken but lays an egg that's up to 6 times larger than a chicken egg relative to body size. The kiwi has the largest egg-to-body-weight ratio of any bird.

Their Eggs

Enormous relative to body size — the egg is about 20% of the female's body weight. Smooth, white to greenish-white shell.

Egg Size Comparison

Chicken 55mm
Kiwi 125mm
227% of chicken egg

Fun Fact

The kiwi egg is so large relative to the bird's body that the female must fast for 2-3 days before laying because the egg compresses her internal organs, leaving no room for food.