The New Zealand Exclusive, the Kiwi!
It's more than the symbol of New Zealand, it's the smallest ratite known! What's a ratite? It's a group of flightless birds that are for the most part extinct. The five species of kiwis known are Great Spotted Kiwi (or Roroa), Little Spotted Kiwi, Okarito Brown Kiwi (or Rowi), Tokoeka, North Island Brown Kiwi.
Picture courtesy of National Geographic.
What are Kiwis Like?
Mating habits, diet and appearance of the kiwi
These shy, nocturnal and often secretive forest creatures range from 9-17 inches in height, depending upon the variety. Kiwis do not rely on their eyesight as much as they do their highly developed sense of smell, which makes them very alert. This helps them search out food in the form of insects, grubs, and worms with their long bill, which is equipped with nostrils (a unique feature in birds). They also don't have to see their prey to catch it.
Kiwis mate for life.
They usually remain monogamous and pick a pair to mate with their entire 20-year or so life. Kiwis mate in the winter months of June through March (remember, winter down under is opposite of the Northern Hemisphere!). Burrowing in tree trunks and secluded forest areas, kiwis will nest for their average of one egg per season. Kiwi eggs typically are around 25% of the weight of the larger female. After an eleven week incubation period, during which the male incubates, the small kiwi chick is born. After surviving off the yolk for a number of days, the kiwi will venture out of the nest along with the father to search out food for the first time. The kiwi's long, sharp, 3-toed feet allow it protection against predators.
Where are their wings?
Kiwis don't look like they have wings, but they do. For this reason, the wing has receded under the bristly feathers that resemble hair. They are closed related to the emu, another flightless New Zealand bird. They also belong to the same family of birds in which you'll find ostriches, casowaries, and rheas.
They're a bit elusive...
Kiwis can be a difficult animal to photograph. They're shy and like their privacy, so photographs aren't all that abundant of this animal. They're declining population makes it even more difficult!
Unique Kiwi Themed Clothing!
Visit our Store!
Royal Vintage NZ Kiwi Ringer T
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Retro Vintage Kiwi Jr. Spaghetti Tank
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If you're not from New Zealand...
...you may not know that New Zealand residents often refer to themselves as "kiwis."
Kiwi Links
- Make a Donation to Help Save the Kiwi
- Every penny of your donation will go directly to helping Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi initiatives to help stop the decline of kiwi.
- Kiwis at U.S. Zoos
- Several zoos in the United States have kiwi birds on display. Find out which ones on this informative web page!
- All of the Lenses by Kiwisoutback!
- From topics ranging from endangered species to search engines, you'll find plenty to keep you reading!
- There are less than 70,000 kiwi remaining in New Zealand
- Only by raising awareness of the need to control and eradicate predators and by highlighting the threat to kiwi and their possible loss from the mainland can we carry on protecting this bird.
- Kiwi Cam
- See the baby kiwi while it's still a baby!
Kiwi Recycles Infant Bodysuit
Price: 14.99
Are they Endangered?
Yes, all kiwis are endangered and in decline. The Okarito Brown Kiwi is critically endangered with an estimated 250 birds left, while the North Island Brown Kiwi's conservation status is endangered. All other kiwis are in the "threatened" status of endangered, largely in part to introduced predators to the New Zealand area such as dogs, and of course, humans, through loss of habitat and automobiles. How can you help? Visit the Save the Kiwi website to make a donation to help these rare birds!
Endangered Animals
Kiwis are all in decline, and so are these animals. Read up on how to help some of these beautiful species here.
Brown Kiwi, Portrait, New Zealand Photographic Print
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A Kiwi Poll...
Take our poll on this endangered New Zealand bird!
Kiwi Bird at San Diego Zoo Photographic Print
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New Zealand is an amazing place, and it's home of the kiwi. With terrain varying from high snow-capped mountains to craggy, tropical shoreline, this country has incredible sites to view, abundant unique wildlife, and some of the best scenery in the world.-
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Kiwi Feedback
Have something to say about Kiwis or just want to say hello?
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Reply
- devaastshon devaastshon Jun 10, 2009 @ 3:59 am
- wow!!
this is a wonderful lens.!!!
thanx!
=]
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Reply
- kiwi cutie kiwi cutie Jun 8, 2009 @ 12:09 pm
- this helped with my project
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Reply
- alex alex Jun 8, 2009 @ 6:52 am
- Hi, i was doing a school project that was very urgent and this helped me finish it. Thanksfor the info.
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Reply
- Ella Leaney 9 years old Ella Leaney 9 years old Apr 12, 2009 @ 10:18 pm
- Hi, this is a 9 year old speaking!
I'm speaking because this is great information for my school project.
It is really hard and I'm pretty sure now that I will get a good mark!
It's happening on the 29th of April!
Gee, I better get a move on!! :-)
Love Ella Leaney
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Reply
- AndyPo AndyPo Mar 4, 2009 @ 8:16 am
- Great lens. Very interesting.
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Reply
- Tobbie Tobbie Mar 1, 2009 @ 7:17 am
- I had no idea what a Kiwi was. I learned something new today. 5*
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Reply
- jessicahoward jessicahoward Feb 26, 2009 @ 12:35 am
- wow this is really great information about kivi...the pictures are excellent..great job done.keep it up.i think kivi is the national bird of new zealand.
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Reply
- jpbrady1 jpbrady1 Feb 25, 2009 @ 10:47 am
- great and informative site. know more now about the little birds. Keep up the good work!
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Reply
- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Oct 30, 2008 @ 5:42 pm
- Australian wildlife has always interested me. Another place I'd love to visit. Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it.
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Reply
- ArtByLinda ArtByLinda Aug 19, 2008 @ 1:03 pm
- And I thought kiwi was a fruit! Thanks for educating me to the plight of this endangered species! 5* Linda
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Reply
- nightcats nightcats Mar 10, 2008 @ 6:53 pm
- This is a wonderful lens. It saddens me to think of all these endangered creaturs. I've given you a lensroll on my Penguin lens.
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Reply
- Classic Classic Feb 12, 2008 @ 12:11 am
- Hello, yet another great lens! Thanks for submitting this to my group Nature and Environment! Classic
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Looking for a unique gifts for someone from New Zealand, or a tourist that's been there and loved it? Kiwi's Outback is here to the rescue! We specialize in gifts for kiwis! Find one of a kind kiwi shirts, sweatshirts, hats, bumper stickers, and othe...
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