A KIWI

STORY

THE KIWI

• Endemic to NZ• Endangered• 5 species :

– Brown – Great spotted – Little spotted– Rowi – Tokoeka

• Distribution – small population scattered around NZ

Distribution

Small isolated groups

SOME INTERESTING FACTS• Nocturnal• Sleep and nest in burrows• Can’t fly – no wing or tail feathers• Long beak, nostrils at tip –eat worms, grubs,

spiders, berries• Strong legs, big claws• Whiskers• Huge eggs – dad sits on the egg

WHY ARE KIWI ENDANGERED?• Small population size, slow to reproduce, numbers

declining

• At risk from being attacked by predators (stoats, ferrets, cats, rats*, hedgehogs*, dogs, humans) because they:– Can’t fly– Live/nest on the ground

• Loss of habitat (their home and food supply)– Chopping down forests/bush for farming, wild pig

grazing, fires

• Death or injury by traps, poisons

HOW DO WE PROTECT THEM?

• Department of Conservation (DOC)

• Provide a predator-free habitat• Track and monitor birds• Collect eggs and raise chicks in a safe place• Release chicks back into the wild

Mt Ruapehu - Tongariro National Park

TRACKING KIWI• A transmitter is

attached to kiwis leg

• The transmitter makes a sound that can be heard on a special radio

• The closer you get to the bird the louder the beep on the radio

Kiwi sleep in burrows

• To catch a kiwi you have to crawl into the burrow!

Over 70 species of NZ birds are endangered

Some live right here in Mid Canterbury

Black billed gull

• nests in Ashburton river

KeaSki fields – Mt Hutt, Craigieburn

NZ FalconAshburton lakes

Vineyards using them to scare away birds that eat the grapes

Southern crested grebe

Ashburton lakes Mackenzie lakes

Black stilt

Mackenzie lakes - Twizel

Rifleman – NZ’s smallest bird

What can you do to help?

• Don’t destroy nests or eggs!• Learn about birds– Books– Internet– Museum, clubs & societies– Go out into the wild and look for them

• Talk to friends and family about birds and why we need to look after some of them

• Make a bird feeder or grow plants that attract birds in your garden

Some common birds