Newsletter / Blog
2011-09-10 The Great Spotted Kiwi - Endemic to the South Island of New Zealand.
The Great Spotted Kiwi, Great Gray Kiwi, or
Roroa, Apteryx haastii, is a species
of Kiwi Endemic to the South Island
of New Zealand. It is the largest of the kiwi and is found in the rugged
topography and harsh climate of the high altitude, alpine, part of South Island.
They have a
plumage composed of soft, hair-like feathers that can range in colour from
charcoal gray to light brown. The common name of this bird comes from black
spots on its feathers. The
body is pear-shaped, while the head and neck is small with a long slender ivory
bill. The Great Spotted Kiwi, along with the other Kiwi species, is the only
bird with nostrils at the end of its bill. The eyes are small and do not see
well, as it relies mostly on its sense of smell.
This kiwi is
highly aggressive, and pairs will defend their large territories. Great Spotted
Kiwi are nocturnal and will sleep during the day in burrows.
At night, they
feed on invertebrates and will also eat plants.
Great Spotted
Kiwi breed between June and March. The egg is the largest of all birds in
proportion to the size of the bird. Chicks take 75 to 85 days to hatch, and
after hatching, they are abandoned by their parents.
Conservation Status - Vulnerable |