Kiwi Bird – The National Symbol Of New Zealand

Kiwi the national symbol of New Zealand

The bird Kiwi is the national symbol and icon of New Zealand. The name of the bird – Kiwi comes from the language of Maori (indigenous NZ people). It means “hidden bird”. The association between Kiwis and NZ is so strong that often the word Kiwi is used to refer to the people of New Zealand.

Symbolize

The Kiwi appeared as a symbol for the first time in the middle of the 19 century when it is pictured on New Zealand regimental badges. During the First World War “Kiwi” was used as a byword for New Zealand soldiers. Nowadays the use of the word has spread so that it includes all New Zealanders.

Therefore for all the people who want to work, live and travel to New Zealand, it will be interesting to read some information about these fascinating birds. The national bird of New Zealand – the kiwis are one of the most ancient and unique birds in the world. Their natural habitat is the forests and jungles of New Zealand.

Kiwi Anatomy and Behavior

It’s easy to see why this strange little bird has captured the attention of so many nature lovers. New Zealand kiwi are part of a diverse group of largely flightless birds known as ratites, which includes some of the world’s biggest birds like ostriches, emu and the now-extinct New Zealand moa, as well as cassowaries, rheas and tinamous. But kiwi, of which there are five species (the brown kiwi, the great spotted kiwi, the little spotted kiwi, the rowi and the tokoeka) are among the smallest of the ratites, growing only up to 14-18 inches and weighing in at an average of four pounds full grown.

Everything about the kiwi is remarkable. Because of its strange anatomy for a bird, it is often compared more to a mammal. The kiwi’s body temperature is much lower than most birds. In fact, it has the lowest body temperature (around 100 degrees Fahrenheit) and metabolic rate of any bird. Also, like mammals and unlike other birds, their bones are filled with marrow. 

The skin on their legs is leathery and their powerful legs make up a third of their weight. Comparatively, the skeletons of most birds are light and filled with air sacs to enable flight. Most birds have one ovary, but like a mammal, a female kiwi has two, with ovulation occurring in alternate ovaries. The chick emerges from an enormous egg. While an ostrich lays the world’s largest bird’s egg, it is actually the smallest in proportion to the mom at just 2% of her body weight. Kiwi eggs are six times bigger than other birds of the same size, taking up a whopping 20% of the mother’s body. Thanks to a super high composition of 65% yolk, kiwi chicks hatch fully feathered and independent, actually able to feed themselves. 

While the majority of birds depend mostly on their sense of sight, the kiwi relies on its other senses more. It is the only bird in the world with nostrils at the tip of its bill—if these become blocked with dirt, it can even deliberately sneeze to remove any obstruction. 

It has cat-like whiskers on its face and around the base of its beak that are incredibly sensitive—likely they have evolved to help this nocturnal bird feel its way through the dark. The kiwi’s sense of hearing is also a big way of how it moves through the world. Its ear openings are large and visible, and it will cock its head to direct its ear toward soft or distant noises.  Their feathers are more like a shaggy soft pelt, and in the past, cloaks made out of kiwi feathers (known as ‘kahu kiwi’) were treasures reserved exclusively for tribal chiefs. 

Kiwi bird Specialty 

New Zealand’s national animal – the kiwi – is the only bird, which does not have a tail. Furthermore, during its evolution, it lost its wings and thus the ability to fly. In comparison with other birds, it has a very acute sense of smell, but not so well developed vision.

Kiwis are omnivorous and like to eat both small animals and plants. Another interesting fact is that among all birds Kiwis lay the largest eggs in relation to their own body size. The Kiwi’s egg can weigh up to 450 gr. (16 oz), which is almost one-fifth of the average weight of an adult female Kiwi bird.

Are Kiwis going extinct?

Most of the Kiwi subspecies are currently endangered. It is now believed that only 200 birds are left in the wild. There are many Kiwi conservation projects that are currently being run.

The largest one is managed by the Bank of New Zealand. There are five Kiwi sanctuaries currently created.

Two of them are in the South Island and three are in the North Island. Furthermore, New Zealand has introduced a strict system of pest management as a result of which the survival rate for Kiwis has greatly increased.

Journey to the Land of Glowing Skies

Many nature lovers are drawn to search for kiwi in wildlife reserves all over the country. But Stewart Island, a rugged granite island within Rakiura National Park 19 miles off the coast of Invercargill (New Zealand’s southernmost city) is by far the best place that one can see this shy creature in the wild. The island’s Maori name means “Land of Glowing Skies. Despite numbering 20,000 on the island, the kiwi is still an elusive creature to spot, meaning that planning a trip that includes an experienced guide is a must if you are serious about seeing this famous bird in its natural environment.  

Kiwi are nocturnal, flightless animals that rely on burrowing. Unlike most other ratites, kiwi have four toes instead of two or three, and their massive, dinosauric feet mean they can move through their habitat practically silently, as their steps are muffled by fleshy footpads. While it is possible to spot a kiwi on your own, it is not probable. The best bet for those who want to see a kiwi in its natural habitat is to let the experts lead the way on a night hike (Nat Hab offers this 12-day adventure to the South Island that includes a night hike to spot the brown kiwi on Stewart Island).