Apteryx owenii
The Little Spotted Kiwi, *Apteryx owenii*, is the smallest and arguably most charming of New Zealand's unique kiwi species. Averaging 35-45 cm (14-18 inches) in length and weighing between 0.8 to 1.9 kg (1.8-4.2 lbs), it sports a soft, shaggy plumage that is mottled grey-brown with fine horizontal banding, providing excellent camouflage in its forest undergrowth habitat. Distinctive field marks include its exceptionally long, pale ivory bill, which is sensitive and often curves slightly downw...
Primarily found in temperate native forests, regenerating scrubland, and subalpine tussock grasslands, typically from sea level up to moderate elevations in its island sanctuaries.
Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a wide range of soil invertebrates such as earthworms, beetle larvae, crickets, and spiders, supplemented by fallen fruits and some plant matter. Forages by probing its long bill deep into the ground and leaf litter.
The Little Spotted Kiwi is strictly nocturnal, emerging from its daytime roosts (often burrows, hollow logs, or dense vegetation) shortly after dusk to forage. Its foraging strategy relies heavily on its extraordinary sense of smell and sensitive bill, which it probes deep into the ground and lea...
Historically, the Little Spotted Kiwi was once widespread across both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, inhabiting a variety of forest and scrubland environments. However, its population suffered a catastrophic decline following the introduction of mammalian predators such as stoats, ca...
Vulnerable
- The Little Spotted Kiwi lays the largest egg relative to its body size of any bird in the world, with the egg making up about 15-20% of the female's body weight. Its egg is proportionally similar to a human giving birth to a 6-year-old child. - Unlike most birds, kiwis have nostrils at the very...