The Kiwi is a unique flightless bird, native to New Zealand. They are small, roughly the size of a domestic chicken, belonging to the ratite family, which includes ostriches, emus, and cassowaries. They have loose, hair-like feathers, short stout legs, no tail, and vestigial wings hidden under their plumage. Uniquely, their nostrils are located at the tip of their long beaks, allowing them to detect prey by smell rather than sight. They are nocturnal, sleeping in burrows or hollow logs during the day and foraging at night. Once bonded a male and female kiwi live the rest of their lives as a monogamous couple. These relationships may last for up to 20 years. They lay only one egg per season and Kiwi eggs are exceptionally large relative to body size, sometimes up to 20% of the female's weight. The male incubates the egg and the gestation period is between 60 - 90 days

1. There a five known extant species of kiwi, Great spotted kiwi, Little spotted kiwi, Okarito kiwi, Souther brown kiwi and North island brown kiwi.
2. The eye of the kiwi is the smallest relative to body mass in all avian species.
3. In 1851 London Zoo became the first zoo to keep kiwi. As of 2007 only 13 zoos outside New Zealand hold kiwi.
4. The kiwi is the national symbol of New Zealand

• Length: Approx. 40cm
• Wingspan: Flightless, with only vestigial wings
• Habitat: Native forest, scrubland and plantations throughout New Zealand
• Diet: Earthworms, insects and larvae. Also berries and fallen fruit