Which country is famous for kiwi birds?

Small, fluffy, and surprisingly shy, the kiwi is unlike almost any other bird in the world. It cannot fly, has hair-like feathers and uses its long beak to sniff out food in the dark. If there is one country closely associated with this unusual bird, it is New Zealand.

Just like Peru is known for llamas and Australia is famous for Kangaroos, New Zealand is home to Kiwi birds.

The kiwi is native to New Zealand and rightly so, the country's national bird. So strong is the connection that New Zealanders themselves are often affectionately referred to as "Kiwis."

Beloved bird of New Zealand

The kiwi belongs to a group of flightless birds known as ratites. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, kiwi are the smallest members of this group. They are stout birds, standing between 1.5 and 2 feet (0.5 to 0.6 metres) tall.

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Females typically weigh between 4.5 and 8.5 pounds (2 to 3.9 kilograms), making them larger than males, who weigh between 3 and 7 pounds (1.4 to 3.2 kilograms).

Their bodies are covered in shaggy brown feathers that resemble hair. The kiwi's most distinctive feature is its long, pale grey-brown bill, with nostrils located near the tip, a rarity in the bird world.

Scientists once believed kiwi and the extinct moa shared a common ancestor dating back to the time when New Zealand separated from Gondwana. Later research suggested that kiwi may instead be more closely related to the emu lineage.

Today, five kiwi species are recognised, which include Brown Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi (Roroa), Little Spotted Kiwi, Rowi, and Tokoeka.

Kiwis are relatively long-lived birds and can survive for between 25 and 50 years.

More than just a national symbol

The kiwi occupies a special place in New Zealand's culture and identity. According to the Department of Conservation (DOC), Government of New Zealand, kiwis are valued across all cultures in the country and symbolise the uniqueness of New Zealand's wildlife and natural heritage.

The bird is also considered a taonga, or treasure, by Māori communities, who have deep cultural, spiritual, and historical connections with kiwi. Its feathers are traditionally used in weaving kahukiwi, or kiwi feather cloaks, worn by people of high rank.

Why are Kiwi under threat?

The kiwi is currently classified as Vulnerable. According to the Department of Conservation, about 70,000 kiwi are remaining in New Zealand, and around 2 per cent of unmanaged kiwi populations are lost every year, equating to roughly 20 birds each week.

Predators are the biggest threat to kiwi survival. Stoats are responsible for many kiwi chick deaths, while dogs pose the greatest danger to adult birds. Cats also prey on chicks, and ferrets frequently kill adult kiwi.

Habitat modification, habitat loss, vehicle strikes, small and isolated populations and the potential introduction of new diseases and parasites also threaten kiwi populations.

One reason kiwi are particularly vulnerable is that they cannot fly, making them susceptible to crushing injuries, including those caused by dog attacks.

Conservation efforts are making a difference

Despite these challenges, conservation work is helping kiwi populations recover in several parts of New Zealand. The Department of Conservation notes that more than 90 community and iwi-led groups are actively protecting kiwi across an estimated 230,000 hectares.

Conservation measures include predator control programmes, fenced predator-proof sanctuaries, predator-free islands, and habitat management for wild populations. In areas where predators are controlled, kiwi numbers are increasing.

Where can you see kiwi birds?

For travellers eager to spot New Zealand's iconic kiwi, several wildlife parks, hatcheries and conservation centres across the country offer a rare opportunity to observe the bird up close. Some of the key locations include Kiwi North in Whangārei, Auckland Zoo and Butterfly Creek in Auckland, the National Kiwi Hatchery, Kiwi Birdlife Park in Queenstown and the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika. Many of these facilities also play an active role in kiwi conservation, breeding and rehabilitation programmes.