Kiwi

Kiwi is a flightless bird which is found only in New Zealand. Kiwi are the smallest member of Ratities, i.e. a group of diverse group of large, flightless birds belonging to Gondwanan origin. Recent DNA studies have shown that the the Kiwi's closest relatives are the Emu and the Cassowaries. This theory suggests that the Kiwi's ancestors arrived in New Zealand from elsewhere in Australasia well after the Moa, thereby proving that the Moa is not the closest relative of the Kiwi. Kiwi birds are considered to be closest to Mammals, as compared to birds because of their unique physical features which are similar to Mammals. Kiwi lay the Largest Egg in proportion to their size of any species of bird at 20% of the females body weight. There are Five accepted Species of Kiwi, one of which has Four Sub-Species. The Great Spotted Kiwi is the Largest Species and the Little Spotted Kiwi is the Smallest Species.

Kiwi Species

• Great Spotted Kiwi.
• Little Spotted Kiwi.
• Okarito Brown Kiwi.
• Tokoeka.
• North Island Brown Kiwi.

When the Maori first came to New Zealand, there were about 12 million Kiwis, but today there are less than 50,000 and the Kiwi population is under threat from introduced animals and mankind. All Species of Kiwi are endangered and have been adversely affected by historic deforestation but today the greatest threat to their survival is predation by invasive Mammalian Species. The Life span of Kiwis is around 20 to 30 years.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom - Animalia.
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Aves.
Order - Struthioniformes or Apterygiformes.
Family - Apterygidae.
Genus - Apteryx.

Physical Features

Colour - Most of the Kiwis are of greyish-brown in colour.

Weight - Kiwis weigh between 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) to 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) depending upon the Species and Gender.

Height - The Height of Kiwi varies according to Species and Gender. The Largest Species stands about 45 cm (18 in) height and the Smallest Species stands about 25 cm (9.8 in) height.

• The Kiwi is an awkward looking Bird, about the size of a Domestic Fowl. Females are Larger than Males.

• They have Coarse, Bristly, Hair-Like Feathers and Whiskers. They have no Tail but just a Small Pygostyle.

• The Kiwi has a Long, Slender, Pliable and Sensitive Bill, which is One Third the length of its body. It's Beak is unique in the sense that, it has Nostrils at the lower End which makes it very Sensitive to Smell.

• Their Eyes have a reduced Pecten which makes their Eyesight poor.

• Their Gizzard is weak and their Caecum is Long and Narrow.

• Their Legs are very strong and are adapted for Burrowing and Running. A Kiwi can actually outrun a human and has managed to survive because of their alertness and their Sharp, Three-Toed Feet, which enable them to Kick and Slash an enemy.

• They have no Keel (an extension of the sternum, which provides an anchor to attach a bird's wing muscles) on the Breastbone to anchor Wing Muscles.

• They have Tiny Two Inch Long Wings which are of no use. They have 13 Flight Feathers which lack Barbules, and Aftershafts, and they have Large Vibrissae around the Gape.

• Kiwis Vestiges are so small that they are invisible under the Kiwi's Bristly, Hair-like, Two-Branched Feathers.

• Kiwi have Bone Marrow in the style of Mammals which is unlike other Birds.

• They have no Preen Gland.

• They are unique among other Birds as they have a Functioning Pair of Ovaries.

• The Body Temperature of Kiwis is around 38° C, which is almost two degrees lower than that of other Birds, but slightly higher than humans.

Geographical Range and Habitat

New Zealand’s native Forests, which includes pine forests, sub-alpine tussock, scrub and rough farmland.

Behaviour

Kiwi are shy and usually Nocturnal. Their Nocturnal habit is considered to be a result of habitat intrusion by predators, including humans. However they can be often seen in daylight in those areas where introduced predators have been removed, such as sanctuaries etc.

Kiwi have a highly developed sense of Smell, because of  Nostrils at the end of their Long Beak. Because their Nostrils are located at the end of their long beaks, Kiwi can locate insects and worms underground without actually seeing or feeling them.

Unlike Birds, they dig burrows with their Strong Feet. Kiwis often pull leaves and sticks across the entrance to camouflage it and to keep it warm and dry. They Sleep in their burrows throughout the day and search for Food during the night.

Their Eyesight is poor so they use their keen sense of Smell to find food.

Kiwi are Monogamous Birds. A Male and Female Kiwi tend to live their entire lives together.

Most Kiwis are Carnivores, but sometimes they tend to be Omnivores, as they eat fruits and seeds.

In most Species, the responsibility of Incubation is with the Males, who sit on eggs for a long time. This may sometimes result in the Male loosing almost one third its  body weight.

Kiwis prefer to live in Subtropical and Temperate Podocarp (coniferous forests) and Beech Forests.

Kiwi are very Territorial Birds. They fight to protect their land (which can be as much as 100 hectares) by calling, and will even attack other Kiwi if they have to. Kiwi sometimes kill each other fighting over land - their Sharp Claws and Strong Legs and Feet can inflict fatal wounds.

Diet

It's Diet include earthworms, spiders, insects, fresh water crayfish, frogs. They also may eat fruit, seeds and eels.

Predators - Their Predators include possums, stoats, ferrets, feral cats, pigs and dogs.

Reproduction

Males can reach sexual maturity at age 18 months in captivity, but in the wild usually don't breed until much older. Females lay their first eggs at 3-5 years of age. The main breeding period is from late winter to summer (June to March). This is because in these months Kiwis can acquire lot of food. During the mating season, the pair call to each other at night, and meet in the nesting burrow every three days. These relationships may last for up to 20 years. Nests may be in hollow logs, under tree roots, in natural holes or in burrows excavated mainly by the Male. A pregnant Female's belly expands so much that it touches the ground. Most clutches contain one or two eggs  Kiwi eggs can weigh up to one quarter the weight of the female. Usually only one egg is laid per season. Eggs are smooth in texture, and are ivory or greenish white. The male incubates the egg, except for the Great spotted Kiwi, (A. haastii), where both parents are involved. The incubation period is 63–92 days. Producing the huge egg places a lot of demands on the Female. For the thirty days it takes to grow the fully developed egg the Female must eat three times her normal amount of food. Two to three days before the egg is laid there is little space left inside the female for her stomach and she is forced to fast. If the Female happens to lay more than one egg, it will have begin developing inside her, and will be laid nearly one month after the first one.

In Folklore and Culture

• Maori, the natives of New Zealand use Kiwi feathers for Kahu-Kiwi (ceremonial cloaks), which are gathered from Kiwi that die naturally or through road accidents or predation.

• According to a Maori Legend, the king of the forest, Tanemahuta saw that the trees of the Forests were dying because of bugs. He requested various birds to get rid of the bugs but all refused. When he asked Kiwi to protect the trees, it agreed even though it had to lose it's colourful wings. Because of it's sacrifice, the king declared that the Kiwi will become the most well known and loved bird of all.

• The Kiwi as a symbol first appeared in the late 19th century in New Zealand regimental badges. It was later featured in the badges of the South Canterbury Battalion in 1886 and the Hastings Rifle Volunteers in 1887. Soon after, Kiwis appeared in many military badges.

• In 1906 Kiwi symbol began to be recognised internationally, when Kiwi Shoe Polish was launched in Melbourne by a man with a New Zealand born wife. Kiwi Shoe Polish was widely sold in the UK and the USA. In this way the symbol became even more widely known.

• During the First World War, the name "Kiwi" for New Zealand soldiers came into general use, and a Giant Kiwi, (now known as the Bulford Kiwi), was carved on the chalk hill above Sling Camp in England. Use has now spread so that now all New Zealanders overseas and at home are commonly referred to as "Kiwis".

• Kiwi is the national symbol for New Zealand, and Kiwis are prominent in the coat of arms, crests and badges of many New Zealand cities, clubs and organisations.

• The New Zealand Dollar is often referred to as the Kiwi Dollar.