# Kiwi (*Apteryx*) Kiwi birds are unique because they cannot fly and have tiny wings. They are covered in soft, fluffy feathers and have long beaks that help them find food on the forest floor. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Kiwi](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426136/objects/6187.jpg) ## Appearance The Kiwi has a round body covered in shaggy, brown, fur-like feathers that are quite coarse to the touch. It has strong, short legs and a remarkably long, pale ivory-coloured beak with nostrils at the very tip, making it look distinct from other birds. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Apterygiformes - **Family:** Apterygidae - **Genus:** Apteryx ## Interesting facts - Kiwi eggs are gigantic, sometimes making up a quarter of the mother's body weight! - Kiwi use their strong legs to stomp on the ground and listen for tasty worms below. - Their nostrils are unique, located at the very end of their long, sensitive beak. - They are the only birds in the world with whiskers, similar to a cat's! ## Special abilities - **Super Sniffer:** Kiwi can smell incredibly well because their nostrils are at the end of their long beak, helping them find food in the dark. - **Mighty Legs:** Kiwi has powerful, strong legs that help them run surprisingly fast through the forest to escape danger. - **Feather Cloak:** Kiwi has unique shaggy feathers, more like fur, that help them stay warm in the cool, damp forests. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-65 cm - **Wingspan:** 5-10 cm - **Weight:** 1-5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 19 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 63-92 days ## Diet & Feeding Kiwi use their amazing sense of smell to find yummy insects, worms, and fallen fruits! - **Primary Foods:** Earthworms, Insect larvae, Beetles, Spiders, Berries, Fungi - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Stoat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stoat) (*Mustela erminea*) — Introduced predators prey on kiwi chicks and eggs. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Introduced predators often hunt young kiwi. - **Eats:** Common Earthworm (*Lumbricus terrestris*) — A primary food source found by probing the ground. - **Depends on:** Silver Beech (*Nothofagus menziesii*) — Provides critical forest habitat and food sources. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Kiwi birds are shy and easily scared, so it's important to be quiet and respectful if you see one in the wild. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Kiwi? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Kiwi? 35-65 cm ### What is Kiwi's wingspan? 5-10 cm ### How much does Kiwi weigh? 1-5 kg ### How long does Kiwi live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Kiwi move? 19 km/h ### What does Kiwi eat? Kiwi use their amazing sense of smell to find yummy insects, worms, and fallen fruits! ### Where is Kiwi usually found? Forests ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Kiwi: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/kiwi)