North Island Brown Kiwi

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Quick facts

Lifespan

25 - 50 years in the wild

Diet

Fruits,

berries, insects, earthworms and snails

Habitat

Forests,

scrublands, plantations

Range

New Zealand

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The North island brown kiwi

Kee-wee-kee-wee

The kiwi is a small flightless nocturnal bird. It got its name from the male’s shrill call which goes kee-wee-kee-wee. In response, the female produces a guttural call.

These vocalisations help kiwi pairs to mark their territory and keep in touch with each other while they forage in the forest.

Sniffs and Snuffles

Kiwis have a slender bill. Females which are larger also have a longer bill. Kiwis are the only birds in the world that have nostrils located near the tip of their bill.

Using their keen sense of smell, they probe leaf litter to sniff out earthworms, beetles, snails and fruits. They often snuffle when they forage.

Small Bird, Giant Egg

The female kiwi produces the largest egg for its body size - the giant egg can weigh up to 25% of her body weight.

The egg creates such a bulge in the kiwi’s body that the bird has to walk with her legs apart! Incubation is done by the male and the period is long, lasting up to 90 days!

Enter The World With A Big Kick

Unlike most other birds, kiwis do not have an egg tooth, which chicks use to break the eggshell to hatch. Instead, kiwi hatchlings use their strong legs to kick their way out of the eggshell.

Together, we protect wildlife

Protect and Breed

Since 1990, the population of the kiwi plummeted by 90%. Kiwis have very poor eyesight and can easily fall prey to introduced predators such as stoats, cats, and dogs. Over 90% of kiwi chicks do not survive to reach the breeding age.

Breeding programmes, measures to deter predation and the establishment of sanctuaries for kiwis, are helping to stabilize the wild population of this unique flightless bird in New Zealand.

The IUCN Status

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

Doing Our Part

We do our part in helping to sustain the population of the brown kiwi in human care by participating in a global programme - Species Survival Plan (SSP).

This plan involves coordinated efforts by participating zoos to ensure the species’ future survival. Transfer of individuals between zoos for breeding is based on genetic compatibility.

The IUCN Status

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

The Wild Scoop

Fishing Cat Trail

Malayan Tapir

North Island Brown Kiwi

Quick facts

25 - 50 years in the wild

Fruits,

Forests,

New Zealand

The North island brown kiwi

Kee-wee-kee-wee

Sniffs and Snuffles

Small Bird, Giant Egg

Enter The World With A Big Kick

Together, we protect wildlife

Protect and Breed

The IUCN Status

Doing Our Part

The IUCN Status

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