Kiwi Bird |
Kiwi Bird 37 Interesting Facts About Flightless Bird
Kiwi It is a bird belonging to the Apteric genus and this bird is native to New Zealand. The kiwi bird is one of the five flightless bird species. In Latin the word apertic means wingless and hence this name has been given to this bird.
Kiwi birds evolved about 30 million years ago. Which is considered to be the oldest among the birds still alive. Kiwi bird has lower body temperature as compared to other birds. Let's take a look at the life and behavior of these birds and start this article,
1. Depending on the bird species, the bird population in New Zealand is spread across different types of forest areas. This bird is found in three areas of New Zealand, among them the Paparoa Range, north-west Nelson and the Arthur Pass-Hurunui district of the Southern Alps.
2. But the largest population of these birds is found in northwest Nelson and their lesser population is present in Hurunui district. These birds prefer to burrow in areas with higher cover such as under mountain rocks or in tree crevices.
3. Kiwi birds make burrows on the banks of rivers, under stones or on soft and flat ground and in human areas, Kiwi birds mostly make burrows in rough fields under bushes and woods.
4. Small spotted kiwis of this species live in the beautiful forests of the South Island and on Kapiti Island. North Island brown kiwis are found throughout New Zealand's North Island and Okarito kiwis are found in the Okarito forests on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island.
5. The scientific name of Kiwi bird is Apteryx which is derived from the Greek word. There are five known species of these birds and all have similar behavior. These birds can be found in small groups on Stewart Island.
6. Kiwi birds are birds that live in one place and their area extends up to 100 acres. And these birds are known to conflict and may kill each other within their territories.
8. Kiwi birds have very strong legs. These birds use their legs to jump, kick etc. in their fights.
9. Kiwi birds rely on their senses of touch and smell. Despite many efforts, this bird species is in danger of extinction.
10. Kiwi bird is a terrestrial animal, that is, a ground-dwelling bird that prefers to make its home in subtropical and temperate forests, bushes, grasslands and savannas. Read- Top 34 Interesting Facts About Harpy Eagle With Pictures
Kiwi Bird |
11 To 20 Interesting Facts About Kiwi Bird
11. Kiwi birds can be found in seashore forests, hardwood forests, broadleaf forests which are protected while sleeping during the day.
12. Kiwi birds are brown in color and are one of the smallest flightless birds. There are other flightless birds like ostrich, cassowary etc. but Kiwi bird is small in size and has short legs.
13. The best part is that the Kiwi bird has a more developed sense of smell. Kiwi bird is the only bird in the world which has nostrils at the end of its beak. If dust gets into the nose of a kiwi bird, the kiwi bird may sneeze deliberately.
14. This bird is mostly small in size in appearance and is different from other birds in many respects. The color of Kiwi birds is mostly brown and they have long and soft feathers on their body.
15. The beak of Kiwi bird is long and flexible. There are nostrils at the end of the beak and there are whiskers on the beak like cats. All these characteristics are not seen in any other birds.
16. Their legs are strong and are very useful for fighting and running. They have 4 claws on each foot and their eyes are very small. They have no tail and these birds cannot fly.
17. Kiwi birds are about the size of a domestic chicken but their size varies depending on their species. The largest of their species is the spotted kiwi, which grows between 20-25 inches in length.
18. Kiwi, the smallest among the bird species, has a length of 14-18 inches and among these birds, female birds are larger than male birds. Their body weight varies depending on their species.
19. The average weight of the spotted kiwi among its species is between 0.8-1.9 kg and the female bird weighs more than the male bird. When their babies emerge from the egg, their weight is approximately 255 grams.
20. Kiwi bird's diet consists of berries, seeds and insects. Kiwi birds have nostrils at the tip of their beaks that can detect smells, which helps these birds investigate food. Read- Himalayan Monal 34 Interesting Facts About Beautiful Bird
Kiwi Bird |
21 To 30 Interesting Facts About Kiwi Bird
21. Kiwi Bird This bird spends time from morning till evening foraging and finds prey with its strong smell.
22. In these birds, the female bird is larger than the male bird and their breeding season is from June to March and the mating pair calls each other at night.
23. The male bird only circles around the female bird to attract the female bird. If the female bird is uninterested she will run away or kick the male bird if she is interested and breeding occurs several times during the night.
24. Kiwi bird does not make a nest but makes a burrow in the ground and about two eggs are laid by the female bird. After about a few days the chicks come out of the egg.
25. The chicks of these birds leave the nest at 1 week and are able to feed themselves and the chicks become independent at 4 weeks of age. They are ready to breed at the age of 4 years.
26. Depending on the species of Kiwi bird, the lifespan of Kiwi bird in the wild is about 50 years. The kiwi bird is considered a national symbol of New Zealand.
27. The people of New Zealand consider the Kiwi bird as a treasure and have a cultural and spiritual connection with the bird.
28. Kiwi birds cannot fly but are fast and agile birds and can run very fast with their powerful legs.
29. Kiwi birds are vocal birds, their sound is like 'ki-wee-wee' which sounds like a whistle. A kiwi bird mostly makes clicking sounds.
30. Kiwi birds' cry at night signals their presence and also helps them find their mates. Although Kiwi birds can live up to 50 years, their eyesight is very weak.
31 To 37 Interesting Facts About Kiwi Bird
31. The kiwi bird has a keen sense of smell and also has a sensitive nerve in the tip of the kiwi bird's beak which uses pressure and vibration to detect prey.
32. As of 2019, there were about 68,000 kiwi birds left in the world, their population is continuously decreasing. The population of kiwi bird is declining by 2% every year.
33. Even though the population of Kiwi bird is decreasing rapidly, this bird has not become extinct. Five species of Kiwi birds have been given different conservation status in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
34. The North Island brown kiwi is considered vulnerable with a level population, the okarito kiwi is considered vulnerable with increasing populations, the little spotted kiwi is considered very near threatened with increasing populations.
35. The great spotted kiwi is considered vulnerable with its numbers declining and the southern brown kiwi is also considered vulnerable with its population low.
36. These birds can be quite dangerous and aggressive when provoked and are known to kill each other in fights within their territories.
37. A kiwi bird can be a very dangerous pet due to its sharp and strong claws and tendency to become aggressive when sensing danger.
Kiwi Birds Facts For Kids
1. Kiwi is the national bird of where?
It is the national bird of New Zealand and depending on the bird species, the bird population in New Zealand is spread across different types of forest areas. This bird is found in three areas of New Zealand, among them the Paparoa Range, north-west Nelson and the Arthur Pass-Hurunui district of the Southern Alps.
2. What is the specialty of Kiwi bird?
Their legs are strong and are very useful for fighting and running. They have 4 claws on each foot and their eyes are very small. They have no tail and these birds cannot fly.
3. What is a kiwi bird like?
Kiwi It is a bird belonging to the Apteric genus and this bird is native to New Zealand. The kiwi bird is one of the five flightless bird species. In Latin the word apertic means wingless and hence this name has been given to this bird.
4. What is a fun fact about the Kiwi bird?
The beak of the Kiwi bird is long and flexible. There are nostrils at the end of the beak and there are whiskers on the beak like cats. All these characteristics are not seen in any other birds.
5. Where does the Kiwi bird live and what does it eat?
This bird is native to New Zealand. Kiwi bird's diet consists of berries, seeds and insects. Kiwi Bird This bird spends time from dawn to dusk foraging and finds prey with its strong smell.
6. Can kiwi bird fly?
Kiwi birds cannot fly but are fast and agile birds and can run very fast with their powerful legs.
7. How many species of Kiwi are there?
The kiwi bird is one of the five flightless bird species. In Latin the word apertic means wingless and hence this name has been given to this bird.
8. Why are kiwis extinct?
Even though the population of Kiwi bird is decreasing rapidly, this bird has not become extinct. Five species of Kiwi birds have been given different conservation status in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
9. How often do kiwi birds lay eggs?
Kiwi birds do not make a nest but make a burrow in the ground and about two eggs are laid by the female bird. After about a few days the chicks come out of the egg.
10. What is the age of Kiwi bird?
Depending on the species, the lifespan of a Kiwi bird in the wild is up to 50 years. The kiwi bird is considered a national symbol of New Zealand.