Today’s special animal friend is the kiwi, five species in the genus Apteryx and family Apterygidae. As we learned yesterday, these flightless birds of New Zealand are very similar to the extinct Velociraptor, except for some of the scary stuff. They are not closely related to New Zealand’s other flightless birds, the moa, but to emu, cassowaries, and the extinct Malagasy elephant bird. The name “kiwi” is from the Maori language and is generally believed to originate in imitation of a sound the bird makes. Unlike “Kiwi,” the demonym for New Zealanders, “kiwi” is not capitalized, and the recommended plural is “kiwi.” One kiwi, two kiwi, a ravenous pack of kiwi close behind cute Kiwi Sam Neill ...
Ahem, where was I? Kiwi species are either brown or spotted. The largest species is the great spotted kiwi, Apteryx haastii. They are about 18 inches high and can weigh over 7 lbs. The little spotted kiwi, Apteryx owenii, is about 1/3 the size of the great spotted kiwi. It has been eradicated from “mainland” New Zealand by introduced predators such as cats, pigs, and weasels; healthy populations remain on predator-free smaller islands.
The most common kiwi is the North Island brown kiwi, Apteryx mantelli. Around 35,000 of these kiwi, which are nearly as large as the great spotted, are found in the northern part of the North Island, where they have adapted to a variety of habitats including farmland. Two other species of brown kiwi are found on the South Island.
All the species of kiwi share many features. Like other flightless birds, they have relatively heavy bones with bone marrow instead of hollow spaces. Their wings are tiny and nearly invisible under their bristly, hairlike feathers. They have no tail. Spotted kiwi females can lay multiple eggs, but brown kiwi lay a single egg that can weigh up to 1/4 the female’s body weight. While growing this immense egg, the female needs up to three times her usual food supply, but in the last few days, the egg takes up so much interior space that her stomach is squashed flat, and she can’t eat at all. This brings back memories of some of my pregnancies.
Kiwi are monogamous, and a pair can remain together for over 20 years. They are territorial and aggressive, fighting with long, sharp claws and strong kicks that can result in fatal wounds. Seriously:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rmi3EifYzR0
Kiwi have a long, flexible bill with nostrils at the tip. They have an outstanding sense of smell. Their eyes, however, are the smallest (relative to body mass) of any bird type. Blind individuals are not unknown, and they survive in the wild using their other senses. Kiwi are omnivorous: they eat seeds and fruit as well as grubs, insect, crayfish, eels, and amphibians. Kiwi have a large brain, relative to their size, and are considered intelligent by some researchers.
Predation is a huge threat to kiwi populations. Weasels are the most common predator of chicks, while dogs are the greatest threat to adults. Fewer than 10% of eggs hatch and reach adulthood in unprotected habitats, while in predator-free habitats, the survival rate is well over 50%. “Kiwis for Kiwi” https://www.kiwisforkiwi.org/ is one of many conservation groups working to protect and expand kiwi populations. The Maori, who used to hunt and eat kiwi, now consider themselves the protectors of New Zealand’s best-known animal friend.
Ah, yes, thanks! “Brokenwood” comes to mind, but the resident Maori in the series is a hottie, very much too you for this ol’ broad. Still, the word “kiwi” brings nice things to mind. ;o]
Back from Walmart, where I stood in the cold wind an extra ten minutes because folks forgot it was Tuesday again, and didn’t let us in when they were supposed to.
I’ve been having the wobblies since before I left, so I don’t know what will get done today besides pill sorting and laundry folding, neither of which attracted too much attention from me before I left.
Now, of course, my right knee is burning, so I’m not sure what to do about it. About the only thing I’ve decided is that I will most likely send the bakeware to my FD a few pieces at a time, if I can find the proper-sized containers. Just to get them out of my way.
*tagline*