Kiwi (bird)

Meet the Kiwi Bird

Kiwis are special birds that live only in New Zealand. They cannot fly and are about the size of a domestic chicken. Kiwis are part of a group called ratites, which also includes ostriches, emus, rheas), and cassowaries.

There are five kinds of kiwi birds. Most of them are rare and need protection. Their homes have been harmed by people cutting down trees, but they are safe in big forest areas and parks. Kiwis have very small wings hidden under their soft feathers. They lay very big eggs—up to 20% of their body weight! Kiwis also have long beaks and strong legs to find food.

The kiwi bird is a symbol of New Zealand. People from New Zealand are often called "Kiwi" too.

The word kiwi comes from the Māori language and sounds like the bird's call. When the first people from Polynesia arrived in New Zealand, they may have used the name kiwi because it reminded them of another bird called the bristle-thighed curlew.

Kiwis are special because they cannot fly. Like other birds that cannot fly, such as ostriches, they lack a bone called a keel that helps birds fly. Their wings are so small that you can’t see them under their soft, hair-like feathers.

Kiwis have long beaks with nostrils at the end. They use their sense of smell to find food, which is unusual for birds. Kiwis eat small insects, seeds, grubs, worms, fruit, and even small crayfish. They can find food underground without seeing it!

Kiwis are mostly active at night. In places without dangerous animals, kiwis can sometimes be seen during the day. They live in forests but can also adapt to other areas like scrubland, grasslands, and mountains.

Male and female kiwis often stay together for life. During the mating season, they call to each other at night and meet in a burrow. The female lays one very large egg, which the male incubates. It takes about 60 to 90 days for the egg to hatch.

Kiwis evolved from smaller flying birds. Today, kiwis are protected in special places called sanctuaries. These sanctuaries help kiwi numbers grow. People work hard to keep kiwis safe from animals that are not from New Zealand.

The kiwi bird is an important symbol for New Zealand. It appears on New Zealand’s coat of arms, coins, and sports team logos. The New Zealand national rugby league team is nicknamed the Kiwis.