What kind of bird is the kiwi, a flightless bird from New Zealand? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It is a large, flightless bird that lives in New Zealand and feeds by using its nose and whiskers at the end of its beak. I will explain in detail what kind of bird it is.
What is kiwi? About basic status
The kiwi is a flightless New Zealand bird classified in the order Kiwiiformes. The scientific name is Apteryx australis. There are several subspecies, but the body length is 45-60 cm and the weight is about 3-4 kg. The national bird of New Zealand, its name comes from its cry.
| Japanese（和名） | キーウィ |
| English（英名） | kiwi |
| scientific name(学名) | Apteryx australis |
| classification（分類） | Ave、 Palaeognathae、Apterygidae、Apteryx 鳥綱、キーウィ目、キーウィ科、キーウィ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | Vulnerable |
| Length（全長） | 45-60cm |
| Weight（体重） | 3-4kg |
About classification
The genus Kiwi has the following types: Unfortunately, it is an endangered species and remains in critical condition.
| Name (名) | Academic Name (学名) |
| Southern brown kiwi サザンブラウンキウイ | Apteryx australis |
| Great spotted kiwi オオマダラキーウィ | Apteryx haastii |
| North Island brown kiwi キタキーウィ | Apteryx mantelli |
| Little spotted kiwi コマダラキーウィ | Apteryx owenii |
| Okarito kiwi オカリトキーウィ | Apteryx rowi |
Apteryx australis
The southern brown kiwi, tokoeka, or common kiwi is a type of kiwi native to the South Island of New Zealand. It was thought to be the same species as the North Island brown kiwi, but is now considered to be a different species. It has become an endangered species.
Apteryx haastii
The Great Spotted Kiwi, also known as the Great Gray Kiwi, is a species of kiwi that is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. It has become an endangered species. It is the largest of the kiwifruit species, and has declined dramatically due to predation by non-native mammals such as dogs, ferrets, cats, and stoats.
Apteryx mantelli
This kiwi lives on the North Island of New Zealand. These kiwis, like other kiwis, feed on invertebrates. It has become an endangered species.
Apteryx owenii
It is one of the smallest kiwi birds. Conservation efforts were carried out 100 years ago and the species was on the verge of extinction, but its population is gradually recovering. It is designated as a near-threatened species. Kapiti Island is currently home to approximately 1,200 birds.
Apteryx rowi
The kiwi, also known as the Okarito brown kiwi, currently lives in the Okarito Forest on the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island, an area that is restricted by the New Zealand government. It has become an endangered species.
About Kiwi Habitat
Kiwis are endemic to New Zealand and cannot be found anywhere else.
① Geographical Habitat (Area)
Kiwi species have different habitats.
North Island
Brown Kiwi
Lowland forests, agricultural areas, and hilly areas
May appear near human settlements
South Island
Tokoeka (South Island Kiwi)
Mount forests and temperate rainforests
Mainly found in sparsely populated areas
Offshore islands
Little Spotted Kiwi
Pedestrian-free protected islands
Artificially transported and protected
② Environmental Characteristics
Kiwis have common preferences for certain environments.
Dense undergrowth
Soft ground
Lots of fallen leaves
Moisture
Quiet and dark
👉 Places rich in earthworms and insects.
③ Nests and Roosts
Hole in the ground
Tree bases
Under fallen logs
Shade of rocks
👉 Often dig their own nests.
④ Home Range (Territory)
Strong territorial awareness
Can span tens of hectares
Mark their territory with vocalizations
⑤ Keeping a distance from humans
Nocturnal, they are hard to spot during the day
Habitat shrinks due to development
Frequent traffic accidents and dog attacks
⑥ Why were they moved to an island?
To protect them from introduced predators (cats, weasels, ferrets)
Protecting them by creating an artificial “safe island”
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Kiwis look very fat. Wings can only be used to balance and support the body when jumping. It is nocturnal and lives in forests and bushes. It is characterized by its hair-like feathers, short, chunky legs, and long beak. Since there are no enemies in the domestic area, their wings have degenerated and they live by walking on the ground.
① Their appearance is extremely unique.
Body length: 40-50cm (about the size of a chicken)
Body type: Round and stocky
Feathers: Fluffy like fur (flightless)
Wings: Almost completely degenerate and invisible
Beak: Very long
👉 Nostrils at the tip (very rare among birds)
② Completely flightless
They do not fly
Walk/run on the ground
Surprisingly fast when necessary
👉 They seem more like a small nocturnal mammal than a bird.
③ Their sense of smell is extremely developed
Even though they are birds, their sense of smell is highly valued
They dig their beaks into the ground
They search for earthworms and insects
They understand the world through their nose rather than their eyes
👉 They are quite an oddball, even among birds.
④ They are nocturnal and very cautious.
They stay still in their burrows during the day.
They are quiet and active at night.
They are rarely seen in public.
👉 They are sometimes called “phantom birds.”
What is your personality like?
Kiwis have quiet personalities and are very timid. If you make a loud noise, they will get scared and run away immediately.
① Very timid and cautious.
Easy to react to noises and movements.
Instantly hides when it senses danger.
Almost never appears in public.
👉 “Not being seen” is their best defense.
② Quiet and inconspicuous.
Lacks flashy behavior.
Only sings at night.
Quiet.
👉 Particularly quiet among New Zealand’s birds.
③ Very territorial.
Gentle, but aggressive toward intruders.
Marks territory with vocalizations.
Sometimes fights occur with members of the same species.
👉 Quiet, but with a strong core.
④ Patient and diligent.
Continues digging for long periods of time.
Remains unaware until prey is found.
Energy-efficient behavior.
👉 Hardworking and craftsmanlike.
- They are very loyal to their mates.
They remain paired with the same partner for extended periods.
They share territory even outside of breeding season.
They value the family unit.
👉 They are surprisingly devoted.
What is the ecology of kiwi?
Kiwis live on large plants, fruits, earthworms, leaves and berries, and insects. The mode of reproduction is oviparous. The eggs are very large, weighing about a quarter of their body weight. The male incubates the eggs. Their lifespan is over 20 years in the wild and around 40 years in captivity.
① Daily Rhythm
Day
Rests in burrows
Bases of trees, holes in the ground, or under fallen logs
Almost motionless
Night
Starts activity
Searches for food and patrols territory
Marks territory with vocalizations
👉 Completely nocturnal.
② Movement and Behavior
Mainly walks and trots
Moves quietly across the forest floor
Surprisingly fast when running
Hides instead of flies
③ Diet (What do they eat?)
Main prey
Earthworms
Insect larvae
Spiders
Small invertebrates
Fruit (small amounts)
Feeding Method
Detects odors with the nose at the tip of the beak
Pierces the ground and pulls out food
👉 Olfactory-dependent feeding.
④ Breeding Biology
Breeding Characteristics
Once or twice a year (depending on species)
Eggs account for more than 20% of body weight
One of the largest egg ratios among birds
Incubation
Mainly males
Approximately 70-80 days
Chicks
Can walk immediately after hatching
Can become independent within a few days
⑤ Sociality and Territoriality
Strong territoriality
Can extend to tens of hectares
Significant vocalizations
Long-term mating relationships
What is the kiwi’s natural enemy?
Kiwis originally lived in a world without carnivores. However, Europeans introduced animals such as dogs and cats, and carnivores became a threat. The abundant kiwis were preyed on due to their small size.
Kiwi fruit
Kiwi fruit is rich in vitamin C and is popular for its refreshing sweet and sour taste. Kiwifruit is named after the bird kiwi. It was named after New Zealand’s national bird, the kiwi, in 1959 when the fruit kiwi was exported to the United States.
About Kiwi Chicks
Kiwi chicks are quite unique among birds.
They are “almost fully formed” from the moment they are born.
① Immediately after hatching (0 days old)
Appearance
Already has plumage similar to that of an adult
Small body, but well-balanced
Eyes open
Long beak
Behavior
Can stand and walk immediately
Enters and exits the nest hole on their own
Begins foraging
② Relationship with parents
Parents rarely feed them
Protection behavior is limited
Nearly neglected parenting within their territory
👉 Far from being “laissez-faire,” independence is a given.
③ Chick Diet
They hatch by storing nutrients from the egg yolk for several days.
They then forage for food on their own.
They prey on earthworms and small insects.
④ Growth Speed
They grow significantly in just a few weeks.
Their beaks and legs develop rapidly.
They reach juvenile size in just a few months.
They take several years to reach sexual maturity.
⑤ The biggest dangers facing chicks
Natural enemies
Cats
Dogs
Weasels and ferrets
👉 In some areas, approximately 90% of chicks die before reaching adulthood.
⑥ Conservation Measures
Transportation to predator-free islands
Artificial incubation and rearing
Protective rearing for chicks up to a weight of over 1 kg (Operation Nest Egg)
Is the Kiwis an endangered species?
Kiwis are currently listed as an endangered species. The reasons may be as follows. The kiwi population has been reduced to 70,000 birds. A new, society-wide protection scheme is now being implemented by the New Zealand Government and has been successful.
hunting by humans
Hunting by humans is a problem. Maori people hunted kiwi for food and their skins and feathers for cloaks. Modern Europeans cleared vast tracts of land, reducing the kakapo’s habitat. As a result, their population has decreased significantly.
carnivores are introduced
Foxes, dogs, cats, and other animals were introduced by Europeans. Due to these presences, many native species, including the kakapo, were heavily predated and declined dramatically. The kiwi population on mainland New Zealand has declined considerably.
Can you raise kiwis?
Kiwis are strictly managed and extremely difficult for the average person to keep as their population has declined dramatically. In Japan, it can be seen at Tennoji Zoo in Osaka. They were first sent to Tennoji Zoo by the New Zealand government during the 1970 Osaka World Expo, where they are shown on display and kept in captivity, so it is highly recommended. There are often special features and reports on news and events.
① Strictly protected by law
Kiwis are endemic to New Zealand
Fully protected under the Wildlife Act
Capturing, keeping, transporting, and owning them are all illegal in principle.
👉 Even touching them may be restricted.
② A national symbol
Kiwis are the national bird
A symbol of national identity
Nationally protected, not just as “pets”
👉 A bird with special status, on a par with the kakapo.
③ High risk of extinction
High chick mortality rate
Vulnerable to introduced predators
Poor adaptability to artificial environments
👉 Captivity does not necessarily translate to conservation.
④ Personality and ecology unsuitable for captivity
Kiwis are unsuitable for captivity for the following reasons:
Nocturnal (almost inactive during the day)
Extremely timid
Vulnerable to stress
Requires a large territory
Digging behavior is essential
👉 Cannot be reproduced in homes or general facilities.
Who actually keeps them?
✔ Government-approved facilities only
Wildlife conservation centers
Breeding and research facilities
Predator-free protected islands
✔ The purpose is
Species preservation
Captive breeding
Released into the wild
❌ Absolutely no pets
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