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    Apteryx – Kiwis

    Kiwis are so iconic to New Zealand that people from the country are referred to as Kiwis

    Kiwis are endemic to New Zealand, which means they aren’t found anywhere else in the world. There are five recognized species of kiwi, although scientists believe they may be threatened by hybridization.

    These chicken-sized, flightless birds are highly secretive and are rarely spotted in the wild. These nocturnal birds have poor eyesight but a highly developed sense of smell. In fact, they are the only birds with nostrils at the ends of their long beaks! Kiwis nest in burrows or holes in the ground.

    Their nests are particularly vulnerable to predators like stoats. The decline of various kiwi populations has led to the implementation of several conservation measures.