Submission (#986) Approved

https://www.theanimalfacts.com/birds/north-island-brown-kiwi/
Appearance

The kiwi is usually around 50 to 65 centimeters tall (20-25inch). Females weigh 2-5kgs and males weigh 1.4-3kg

The kiwi can’t fly due to their denser bone structure. They are filled with marrow lacking the holes most birds have. Their wings have a small claw at the end that hasn't been observed to serve a purpose.

They have small spiky brown feathers that are streaked with brown and black with modified whiskers on its face that act as whiskers.

Their bill is thin and long pale gray brown with small nostrils on the end, the only birds to have nostrils on the end of their beak.

Diet

The kiwi is an omnivore; they mostly eat insects or arthropods like spiders, grubs, weta, crickets, moths, centipedes, they also eat fruit leaves and berries but this is in a smaller amount.

Range

The brown kiwi is found only in the north of New Zealand.

Habitat

They inhabit dense temperate rainforests along with subtropical rainforests and areas of scrub and grassland. These birds have also been seen within pine tree plantations. They favor forests which are located in damp gullies.
brown kiwi

Scientific Name
Apteryx mantelli

Conservation Status
Vulnerable

Lifespan
50 years



Reproduction

Kiwis breed between winter and summer the male attracts the female by following her around and grunting usually the pair will stay together for life occasionally they do part for a better mate.

The male makes a nest in a hollow log or in a burrow underground t he female will lay up to 6 eggs roughly 20 percent of her body weight the eggs incubate for 75 to 80 days the male sits on the nest the entire time.

Kiwis don't have an egg tooth they instead kick their way out of the egg the babies look like small versions of the parents the baby develops a lot im the egg due to the egg size.

When kiwis hatch they eat their egg yolk. They get most of the nutrients they need to get a good start in life from this along with important antifungals and antibacterials to protect them in their home which is a hot spot for them.

They only spend a few days in the nest after leaving the nest they sprnd 20 days following their dad around their territory then they become independent but may stay in their parents territory for around a year.

Behavior

They are quite territorial, a trait not often seen in other avains each night they leave dropping with a powerful scent to mark their territory so other kiwis stay out; they have been known to fight for their territory as well on rare occasions ending in death.

Kiwis make a sound similar to their name; they grunt hiss and snort as well, not what most people would expect from a small bird.

Kiwis use their beak and whiskers to search through the leaf litter for food using their legs to kick apart rotting logs.

The kiwis are mostly active at night but recently they’ve been seen more active during the day.