Kiwis (birds)

Kiwis are endemic to New Zealand, and are one of several Ratites which are old Gondwana birds which lack a keel bone to which the flight muscles would be attached. There are several species in the country, but ll are endangered by dogs and introduced mammalian predators such as stoats, cats etc.

Other ratites are associated with other lands of Gondwana.

Kiwi fruits were originally called Chinese gooseberry'sand the New Zea landers had trouble selling them.Then some bright spark renamed them Kiwi fruit which led to their acceptance.

Not all kiwi are endangered, but the species that are endangered are because of habitat loss and imported animals. As is often the case, the introduced species have thrived, creating a threat to the native species which have less highly developed protective and defensive adaptations, having enjoyed a secure environment for thousands of years.

The kiwis' homeland, native forests and scrubs in New Zealand, are disappearing at an alarming rate due to clearing of forests for farming and agriculture, forest fires and introduction of imported animals. Due to the inability to fly, this makes kiwis vulnerable to their predators, which are usually land animals.

Not only is the loss of habitat a threat to the kiwis' food sources, but results in this small and defenceless bird having fewer places to hide from its many predators. Imported animals such as possums, livestock and deer eat trees, plant and seedlings, contributing to the clearing of forests, making it easier for mammalian and avian predators to access the habitat to prey on them.

The biggest threat to the kiwi comes from dogs and cats and other imported pets including the stoat, of all things. Being a small, flightless bird, the kiwi's defenses are extremely limited. Loss of habitat is also endangering the kiwi, not only as a threat to its food sources, but as the kiwi has fewer places to hide from its many predators. Prior to Europeans coming to New Zealand, the kiwi enjoyed a healthy population.

Approximately:

85% in urban areas, 15% in rural areas.

75% in the North Island, 25% in the South Island (plus other places).

90% in coastal areas (that's about within 15km of the coast - bear in mind NZ is all pretty close to a coast).

Before Europeans arrived in New Zealand, the kiwi enjoyed a healthy population. However, a number of human activities have caused this vulnerable bird to come under increased threat of endangerment and/or extinction.

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

Other human activities have caused the kiwi to be endangered. Loss of habitat due to deforestation and destruction of large tracts of native bush has endangered the kiwi. Not only has this threatened its food sources, but deforestation has meant the kiwi has fewer places to hide from its many predators.

A flightless New Zealand bird with a long beak is a Kiwi.

The kiwi is celebrated in New Zealand because it is important to the country for a number of reason.

This flightless bird has some completely unique characteristics which are not shared with any other species, such as nostrils at the very end of its bill, and an extremely highly developed sense of smell which enables it to detect food underground to the length of its bill.

The kiwi is not the only native bird which is endangered in New Zealand, but it has a very distinctive and easily recognised shape, which make it ideal as a New Zealand "icon". It is also in need of protection as, like many other species, it has become highly threatened by the effects of European settlement.

It is not known when kiwi came to New Zealand. Fossil evidence indicates that kiwi have been in New Zealand since long before Man arrived.

The kiwi is New Zealand's national icon because it is a New Zealand native bird.

It is a unique indigenous bird, easily identifiable, and for those reasons has been chosen as an icon.

This flightless bird has some completely unique characteristics which are not shared with any other species, such as nostrils at the very end of its bill, and an extremely highly developed sense of smell which enables it to detect food underground to the length of its bill.

The kiwi is not the only native bird which is endangered in New Zealand, but it has a very distinctive and easily recognised shape, which make it ideal as a New Zealand "icon". It is also in need of protection as, like many other species, it has become highly threatened by the effects of European settlement.

Kiwis, a nickname used by Pakeha (non-Maori) New Zealanders, are named after a unique flightless bird about the size of a large chicken. The Kiwi was named by the Maori after it's call which sounds like keeee weeee. How the nickname stuck is unknown but nothing else exists like it in the world and New Zealanders like to think that we are unique. We ARE NOT named after the small brown fruit. In New Zealand they are called Kiwifruit never ever just "Kiwi" the kiwifruit was a marketing name as New Zealand was the first place where they were grown commercialy but they never got around to trademarking the name.

Kiwi birds have only been endangered for less than 80 years. Their numbers were in the millions at that time.

New Zealand

Kiwi are found only in New Zealand. Figures vary, but the count of kiwi in New Zealand, as of 2008, was believed to be 72,600. It is estimated that, by 2018, the figure will have fallen to 63,500.

No, Shes australian

The word kiwi is pronounced "kee-wee".

Yes they do

Because they are nocturnal

more than you can count

They sleep in a sattalite dish

the leave a milkbottle outside their door with a note in it(:

I'm not sure if there is a bird that is that exact height (6 or 8 ft). However, the Great Blue Heron usually reaches 5 feet in height. Also according to Birding.com's Amazing Bird Facts (http://www.birding.com/birdrecords1.asp), here is some interesting information about tall birds: The Ostrich has reached maximum heights of 9 feet and weights of 345 pounds. The tallest extinct bird was the Giant Moa and lived in New Zealand. This bird reached up to 12 feet. Hope this helps.

Kiwi are not found anywhere outside of New Zealand.

No the kiwi is brown with a brown beak.

http://www.ehow.com/way_5162214_new-zealand-bird-identification.html

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