Kiwi are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand of the order Apterygiformes. The five extant species fall into the family Apterygidae and genus Apteryx. Approximately the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are the smallest ratites.
Facts
Kiwis are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand.
There are five recognised species.
Brown Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi, Rowi and Tokoeka.
4 kiwi species are listed as vulnerable.
The Rowi is the rarest type of kiwi.
The kiwi's egg is one of the largest in proportion to body size.
10% of kiwi chicks survive to reach adulthood.
Kiwis are the same size as a chicken.
Kiwis are unable to fly.
Kiwis live in burrows and dens on the ground.
Great spotted kiwis are the biggest kiwis.
They are about 45 centimeters tall.
Little spotted kiwis are the smallest kiwis.
They are about 25 centimeters tall.
There are about 68,000 kiwi left in New Zealand.
The kiwi can live up to 20 years old.
Kiwi are nocturnal.
The biggest threats to young birds are stoats.
Kiwi birds mate for life.
Female kiwis lay 1-3 eggs.
Kiwis are mature when they are 2 years old.
Ferrets and dogs kill adult Kiwis.
Kiwis appear on New Zealand’s one-dollar coin.
Their closest relatives include the emus, ostriches, and the rhea.
okarito kiwis average lifespan can be 100 years.
New Zealand set up five sanctuaries for kiwis.
In 1851, London Zoo became the first zoo to keep kiwi.
The first captive breeding took place in 1945.