Brown kiwi is a species of kiwi residing in several parts of New Zealand. Their population is decreasing due to historic deforestation, with some living in protected national parks and reserves.
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Apterygiformes
Apteryx
Apteryx mantelli
Table Of Content
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Apterygiformes
Apteryx
Apteryx mantelli
Table of Contents
Brown kiwis are flightless and are nocturnal in nature, and are the state symbol of New Zealand.
Brown Kiwi
Physical Description
Length: They are of short stature, reaching a length of up to 20 inches.
Weight: Female kiwis are heavier than the males, weighing about 3.5 kg.
Color: Their body is brownish or grayish.
Eyes: Their eyes are quite small.
Feathers: Their whole body is covered by fur-like brown feathers
Bills: Kiwis have long bills and their nostrils are located near the tip, unlike most birds
Plumage: Their plumage is streaky red brown and spiky
Habitat
Brown kiwis prefer dense, temperate and sub-tropical forests. They adapt themselves very well on farm land as well.
Distribution
They are found in New Zealand, and throughout the north islands that include eastern north island, Aroha Island, Little Barrier Island, Kawau Island, and Wanganui Region. Kiwis are frequently observed in these regions.
Diet
Kiwis feed on invertebrates such as centipedes, moths, worms, spiders, insect larvae, etc. They also enjoy eating fruits, leaves and berries.
Behavior
Kiwis have several unique behavioral characteristics:
Kiwis are active during night
They are often seen sleeping in dens or burrows during daytime
Brown kiwis are territorial in nature
Their territory ranges from 12 to 106 acres
They are often spotted in pairs
Predators
Kiwis do have a few predators like dogs, cats and even stoats. Juveniles are often attacked by ferrets and brush-tailed possum. Their population is highly stable in the Stewart Island because of lack of such predators.
Adaptation
Some of the Brown Kiwi’s interesting adaptive features:
Brown Kiwi Photo
The chick feeds on the yolk sac, which prevents the baby chicks from going outside the nest
The presence of whiskers on their beaks helps them hunt for food at night
Their coloring helps them to hide themselves from predators
They have a highly developed sense of smell
Their long beaks allows them dig at a great depth to find earthworms and other invertebrates
Migration
Adult kiwis locate a territory and spend their whole life in that particular territory. As flightless birds, they don’t migrate.
Flight
Kiwis are flightless birds.
Mating Season
Their mating season starts from late winter and continue till summer (from June to March). During these months, kiwis devour an unusually high quantity of food.
Breeding
Brown kiwis are monogamous. They mate with only one partner during their breeding season. During the breeding season, the female lays one or two eggs in a nest which is made of thick vegetation and after laying the eggs, male kiwis take care of the eggs and sit on the eggs to keep them warm so that the embryos inside can develop. They have a brooding period of 90 days. Their eggs are of unusual size. There is a gap of 20-25 days between the laying of first and second eggs.
Life Cycle
Since they do not possess an egg tooth, Kiwi chicks use their feet to come out of the shell. They look like mini replica of the adults and are capable of foraging for themselves. The chicks born are precocial. They reach their sexual maturity at 20 months, and are taken care by the male kiwis until then.
Lifespan
Kiwis can live up to 40 years.
Conservation Status
IUCN has listed kiwis as “vulnerable” in the year 2000. They have an overall population of 25,000. Though their population is decreasing overall, in some regions the population is stable.
Interesting Facts
Something more to know about kiwis:
Kiwis have been referred to as honorary mammal because of their appearance.
