Kiwis (birds)

Kiwi do not live in rainforests. Their natural habitat is native forests but due to deforestation of their natural habitat, they are now found in kauri and coniferous forest where the undergrowth is dominated by tree ferns. Also due to habitat clearing, the kiwi has been forced to adapt to semi-wooded forest, scrubland and agricultural areas. One variety, the Haast Brown kiwi, can be found in high sub-alpine tussock grasslands.

New Zealand forests are temperate rain forests (West Coast ) some Kauri forests in the far north could be subtropical rainforests.

A kiwi is the national bird of New Zealand. It is a flightless, nocturnal bird. There are five species, two of which are endangered.

Kiwifruit is a fruit that originated in China (the Chinese gooseberry), but was carefully grown to be more tasty and fleshy in New Zealand, and renamed for promotional reasons. It is commonly called by the abbreviated name of kiwi outside New Zealand and Australia.

Kiwi dig a burrow or takes over a pre-existing burrow, often in slopes. The nest is then lined with grass, leaves and moss. The kiwi may camouflage the entrance by dragging leaves and sticks across, once they are inside.

Not all species of kiwi are endangered, but they are all certainly under threat, and certain conditions may lead to the eventual extinction of all kiwi species.

The biggest threat to the kiwi comes from dogs, feral cats and other imported pets including the stoat, of all things. New Zealand has no native predators. Being a small, flightless bird, its defenses are extremely limited. Many kiwis are also killed every year by unregistered Pig-Hunting dogs (registratrion requires Kiwi Aversion training) and being killed while crossing roads/highways.

Loss of habitat due to deforestation and destruction of large tracts of native bush is also endangering the kiwi. Not only does this threaten its food sources, but deforestation means the kiwi has fewer places to hide from its many predators. Prior to Europeans coming to New Zealand, the kiwi enjoyed a healthy population.

It is not a matter of how long kiwis stay with their babies, but of how long the young are able to stay with the parents.

Depending on the species, kiwi chicks are old enough to leave the parents' territory when they are 4-6 weeks old. Southern Tokoeka may stay with the parent for up to 5 years.

The kiwi's habitat varies depending on the species; subsequently, so does the climate.

The Kiwi is native to New Zealand, and its habitat ranges from the coast to low-alpine zones located 1,500 metres above sea level. While most species live in lower-level habitats, such as native forest, shrubland, wetlands and coastal dunes, the Haast Tokoeka kiwi lives in low-alpine tussock grassland between 1,000 and 1,500 m above sea level. In these areas, winter snow can stay above the treeline for weeks, burying kiwi burrow entrances, but the kiwi are able to tunnel through the snow.

Only the goanna is capable of eating a koala, and even then, it will only ever take a small koala joey that has been separated from its mother, an occurrence which is extremely rare.

A kiwi cannot lay more than one egg in a single sitting.

A kiwi lays one large egg (about six times the size of an egg from another bird of the same size) then, 24 days later, lays another egg. The second egg is beginning to develop as soon as the first is laid. On rare occasions, a kiwi may lay a third egg.

The kiwi can lay only one egg at a time, as the egg is huge - about 15-20% of the kiwi's total body weight.

The kakapo is a flightless parrot confined to isolated islands around the southern part of New Zealand. It is critically endangered.

The Kakapo is the world's heaviest parrot, and the only parrot that can not fly. It is also one of the world's few truly nocturnal parrots. It resembles an owl in some ways, so if often referred to as the "owl parrot".

It can climb trees, having the sharp beak and claws of a parrot. Because it lives on the ground and nests in holes, it is very vulnerable to predators. Its population tends to fluctuate between about 120 and 131 from year to year.

No, they are not. They are both wild creatures and protected which means they cannot be kept as pets. They simply will not adapt easily because they are both nocturnal and have enormous territories which they patrol.

yes, it is a mammal, all mammals are warm blooded.

Female kiwi lay their first egg when they are 3-5 years old. Males reach reproductive age at 18 months, but in their native habitat, they tend not to breed until they older. Breeding season begins in June, the New Zealand winter, and continues through to about March of the following year.

Kiwi dig a burrow for the egg, or find a pre-existing burrow, several months before it is laid. Three weeks after mating, the female lays an egg which is about 6 times the size of an egg from another bird of similar size. Just before the egg is laid, it makes up 15-20% of the kiwi's body weight, and takes up so much room that the female is unable to eat because there is no room in her stomach.

Both male and female kiwi incubate the egg, and another egg may already be developing in the female, to be laid in another three weeks' time. Male kiwis develop a bare patch on their abdomen, which is the "brood patch" - a section that is used to keep the egg warm. It takes 70-80 days for the eggs to incubate.

Hatching may take up to three days. The chick hatches with its eyes fully open. Initially, it feeds on a yolk sac which also prevents the baby chick from moving about the nest, but this is mostly absorbed after a couple of days. The chick then begins to feed on tiny pebbles and twigs which are stored in its gizzard to help with food digestion once it starts eating real food. Depending on the species, chicks are old enough to leave the parents' territory when they are 4-6 weeks old. (Southern Tokoeka may stay with the parent for up to 5 years.) Unlike their nocturnal parents, the chicks feed both day and night, making them more susceptible to predators.

It is believed that 95% of young chicks do not survive past their first six months. Those that do then go out and establish their own territory.

For more details, and a diagram, see the related link

A kiwi has ear openings on either side of its head.

The simplest and most effective way in which one can help the kiwi's continued existence is to ensure one's own domestic pets are fully controlled. Domestic dogs, cats and introduced pet stoats have caused incredible damage to the kiwi population.

There are also various conservation groups set up to help the kiwi, and these programmes are always in need of donations. See the related question.

The flightless bird called a kiwi is native to New Zealand.

The kiwi is in the bird family. Specifically, it is classed as a ratite, a particular group of flightless birds having small wings, but without the bones in their chests having the capacity for flight muscles, which is what a bird also needs to fly.

The kiwi's predators include introduced animals such as ferrets, weasels, stoats, dogs, and cats. Dogs tend to kill but not eat the kiwi. Some animals such as weasels and rats are thought to eat the kiwi eggs. Ninety-five percent of the chicks are eaten before they reach breeding age.

The male emu builds a nest and incubates the eggs laid by the female. He also raises the chicks.

New Zealand. While some pakeha (non-Maori) New Zealanders refer to themselves as 'kiwis', the use of nicknames based on nationality, culture or ethnicity is discouraged as they may be considered disrespectful, offensive or even racist.

There is no such thing as a wingless bird. All birds have wings; it's just that some of them are flightless, and unable to use their tiny wings for flight.

Two flightless birds in New Zealand are the kiwi and the kakapo.

The kiwi's natural biome is native forests but it is now found in kauri and coniferous forest where the undergrowth is dominated by tree ferns. However, due to habitat clearing, the kiwi is now forced to survive in semi-wooded forest, scrubland and agricultural areas.

Other species live in the grassland biome. The Haast Brown kiwi, for example, can be found in high sub-alpine tussock grasslands. The Great spotted kiwi lives in alpine grassland in part of its range, and lower grasslands in others.

Kiwi birds are aggressive im told as there strong legs can kick out if they feel threatened

The kiwi is considered an emblem of New Zealand.