Brown Kiwi

Lore & Background

The Māori word kiwi is generally accepted to be of imitative origin from its call. Some linguists derive it from Proto-Nuclear Polynesian kiwi, referring to the bristle-thighed curlew; others propose it originated from Proto-Oceanic kiwiwi for the Pacific golden plover. The genus name Apteryx is from Ancient Greek 'without wing'. DNA comparisons show kiwi are much more closely related to the extinct Malagasy elephant birds than to moa. Research on the extinct genus Proapteryx suggests the kiwi ancestor reached New Zealand independently from moas and was probably capable of flight.

Reader's Guide

Kiwi are mostly nocturnal, a habit that may result from habitat intrusion by predators. They prefer subtropical and temperate podocarp and beech forests but also adapt to sub-alpine scrub, tussock grassland, and mountains. They have a highly developed sense of smell and are the only birds with nostrils at the end of their long beaks. They eat small invertebrates, seeds, grubs, worms, fruit, small crayfish, eels, and amphibians. They locate prey underground using their keen sense of smell, though they may also rely on auditory or vibrotactile cues. The greatest threat to their survival is predation by invasive mammalian predators.

Did You Know?

• Kiwi eggs can weigh up to one-quarter the weight of the female, one of the largest in proportion to body size of any bird.
• The kiwi's vestigial wings are so small they are invisible under their bristly, hair-like feathers.
• Kiwi have marrow in their bones, like mammals, unlike most adult birds which have hollow bones.
• The kiwi is recognized as an icon of New Zealand, and the term Kiwi is used internationally as the colloquial demonym for New Zealanders.