Northern Brown Kiwi
Apteryx mantelli
Kiwis are the smallest ratites in the world - so they cannot fly. They have no breastbone quill and thus no flight muscles, vestigial wings and no tail. All this simply became superfluous in the course of evolution, as they had no natural enemies.
A shy and vulnerable bird
Before humans settled in New Zealand, these indigenous flightless birds had no natural predators. Then they suddenly found themselves being hunted – both by the new inhabitants themselves and by the animals such as rats, dogs and martens that they brought with them. Kiwis have been actively protected since 1921. Today, their biggest threat comes from predators like stoats, cats and stray dogs as well as from the destruction of their natural habitat.
Keen senses
Kiwis are nocturnal and have very poor eyesight. Their sense of smell, however, is unparalleled in the bird kingdom. They have two nostrils at the tip of their long beaks, which the birds use to sniff out food and find their way. What’s more, bristles on the underside of the beak give kiwis an excellent sense of touch.
Characteristics
- Origin
New Zealand
- Habitat
in the woods of New Zealand
- Diet
Kiwis are omnivores, but their favourite meals are worms and insects.
- Status
approx. 25,000
- Size
65 cm
- Weight
Male: 1440 to 3060 g
Female: 2060 to 3850 g - Breeding period
74 to 84 days
- Achievable age
up to 35 years in human care
Threat Categories of IUCN
