po box 9311

tauranga | new zealand 3142

07 578 3083

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North Island brown kiwi

The kiwi is a curious bird: It cannot fly, has loose, hair-like feathers and long whiskers. Largely nocturnal, it burrows in the ground and is the only bird known to have nostrils at the end of its bill to sniff out food. It has the largest egg-to-body weight ratios of any bird - the egg can be up to 20% of the female's body weight (compared to 2% for the ostrich).

Unlike any other bird species, the kiwi chick hatches fully feathered. After a week it follows its father around outside, learning how to forage. The father protects it around the nest burrow, but if it strays it is vulnerable. At around three weeks the adult moves away and the chick continues to use the burrow as a base, getting further afield. It is very vulnerable to predators at this stage. More on kiwi on the DOC site.

Learn more about our resident kiwi by clicking on an image below.

Maui heads for her burrow

feeling for eggs

volunteers waiting for dusk

kiwi tracking