>Apteryx mantelli (North Island Brown Kiwi)

North Island Brown Kiwi

North Island Brown Kiwi
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Apterygiformes
Family:	Apterygidae
Genus:	Apteryx
Species:	A. mantelli
Binomial name
Apteryx mantelli (Bartlett, 1851)

The North Island Brown Kiwi, Apteryx mantelli, Apteryx australis or Apteryx bulleri  before 2000 (and still in some sources), is a species of kiwi that is widespread in the northern two-thirds of the North Island of New Zealand and, with about 35000 remaining,is the most common kiwi.

Taxonomy

Until 2000, the Brown Kiwi (then Apteryx australis) was thought to include the Rowi and the Tokoeka, in addition to the North Island Brown Kiwi. However using genetic codes from each of the above it was determined that the tokoeka was a separate species, it took the Apteryx australis name, leaving the Brown Kiwi with its current Apteryx mantelli name. Soon after, in 1998, more genetic tests were done with the Rowi and it was determined that it (the Rowi) was a separate species (Apteryx rowi). In 2004 an injured bird was found with streaked white around the head and identified by Massey University. The white feathering is likely due to a rarely seen genetic variation sometimes described as a partial albino. Few documented cases exist with only a painting of one found in Otorohanga in the 18th century and a specimen in the Canterbury Museum. The injured bird recovered and was introduced into a breeding programme.

The Brown Kiwi was first described as Apteryx australis by Abraham Dee Bartlett, in 1813, based on a specimen from Dusky Sound, South Island, New Zealand. This is a monotypic species.

Breeding population and trends

Location	Population	Date	Trend
North Island	2500	2008	Decreasing -4% yr
Little Barrier Island	2500	1996	Stable
Ponui Island			Stable
Kapiti Island			Stable
Kawau Island			Stable
Total (New Zealand)	5000	1996	Decreasing -2% yr

Range and habitat

Brown Kiwi chick

Brown Kiwi are found throughout the North Island, occurring near Northland, Coromandel, Eastern North Island, Aroha Island, Little Barrier Island, Kawau Island, Ponui Island, and Wanganui Region. The North Island Brown Kiwi has demonstrated a remarkable resilience: it has adapted to live on scrub-like farm land, pine (an introduced tree) plantations, and their native forests, but it still prefers dense, sub-tropical and temperate forest.

Description

Females stand about 40 cm (16 in) high and weigh about 2.8 kg (6.2 lb) the males about 2.2 kg (4.9 lb). The plumage is streaky red-brown and spiky. The North Island Brown Kiwi is the only species of kiwi found internationally in zoos.

Behaviour

These kiwi, like all kiwi, feed on invertebrates. They have 2-3 clutches a year with 2 eggs in each clutch. Chicks are fully feathered at hatching and leave the nest and can fend for themselves within 1 week.

Conservation

The North Island Brown Kiwi is endangered, per the IUCN Redlist, with the major threat coming from predators, such as dogs, cats, and stoat Mustela erminea. 94% of chicks die before breeding in areas where mammalian pest control is not carried out. It has an occurrence range of 38,400 km² (14,800 sq mi), with a population, estimated in 2000, of 35,000.

Nationwide studies show that on average only 5 per cent of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood. However, in areas under active pest management, survival rates for North Island Brown Kiwi can be far higher. For example, prior to a joint 1080 poison operation undertaken by DOC and the Animal Health Board in Tongariro Forest in 2006, 32 kiwi chicks were radio-tagged. 57% of the radio-tagged chicks survived to adulthood. Thanks to ongoing pest control, the adult kiwi population at Tongariro has almost doubled since 1998.

>Apteryx australis (Southern Brown Kiwi)

Southern Brown Kiwi

Southern Brown Kiwi
Stewart Island Tokoeka
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Apterygiformes
Family:	Apterygidae
Genus:	Apteryx
Species:	A. australis
Binomial name
Apteryx australis (Shaw and Nodder, 1813)
Sub-species
A a. lawryi (Rothschild, 1893) Stewart Island Tokoeka A a. australis (Shaw and Nodder, 1813) Haast Tokoeka

The Southern Brown Kiwi, Tokoeka, or Common kiwi, Apteryx australis, is a species of kiwi from New Zealand's South Island. Until 2000 it was considered conspecific with the North Island Brown Kiwi, and still is by some authorities.

Taxonomy

Apteryx australis is based on Greek and Latin.
Apteryx means "A-" without "pterux"
 wings, and "australis" from "auster" the south wind, and "-alis" relating to. Hence Relating to the south wind is the meaning of Australis, not Australia. The Southern Brown Kiwi belongs to the Kiwi family and it is a ratite, and a member of the order Struthioniformes. Like all ratites, its sternum has no keel, it is flightless, and it has a distinctive palate.

The Southern Brown Kiwi is divided into two subspecies:

• A. a. australis, South Island Brown Kiwi, with a population of approximately 7,000 birds is found on the South Island of New Zealand. A disjunct population, called the Haast Brown Kiwi is rare (with only about 250 specimens left) and is characterised by its rufous plumage. The Haast Brown Kiwi is named for where it lives, Haast.
• A. a. lawryi, Stewart Island Brown Kiwi is relatively common (20,000 birds) throughout its range, with about 17 birds per square kilometre. Its feathers are streaked lengthwise with reddish-brown.

Description

It has no preen gland, and its feathers have no aftershafts and no barbules. There are large vibrissae around its gape, and it has no tail, only a pygostyle. It has a length of 45–55 cm (18–22 in) and the female weighs 2.1–3.9 kg (4.6–8.6 lb) and the male weighs 1.6–2.8 kg (3.5–6.2 lb) Its bill is long and slender with a slight down-curve. Like other kiwis it is nocturnal. The color of its plumage is rufous with some streaking.
 

Behavior

Vocalization

Southern Brown Kiwi communicate vocally to aid in defending their territory. They will also sing duets with each other, with the female shrill "kee-wee" or "kee-kee" and the males hoarse " kurr kurr". Males are more vocal and they both call in an upright position with their legs stretched out and their bill pointing up.

Diet

The Southern Brown Kiwi has a long slender beak with lateral nostrils at the tip, which helps give them their keen sense of smell. They utilize this, more than sight and sound, to forage in dirt for invertebrates, including earthworms, beetle larvae, snails, spiders,centipedes, and orthoptera. Its gizzard is weak, and underutilized due to the lack of plant matter. Its caeca are long and narrow and aid in digestion.

Reproduction

The Southern Brown Kiwi, like all kiwi, has two functioning ovaries, however only the left oviduct functions, allowing eggs from both ovaries to pass through. It is a monogamous species and once paired up, they will defend their territories with warning calls. The size of their territory is between 12 and 106 acres (4.9 and 43 ha). Nests are made in burrows, or sheltered beneath thick vegetation. The female lays 1-2 eggs, typically just 1, which the male incubates for 90 days. After a few days the chick will exit the nest and feed on its own, although it may stay around parents for a year. When not incubating eggs, they roost alone in sheltered places at ground level.

Range and habitat

Breeding Population and Trends

Location	Population	Date	Trend
Stewart Island	20,000	1996	Stable
Fiordland	7,000	1996	-5.8% yr decreasing
Haast	300	2008	Increasing
Total (New Zealand)	27,000	1996	Stable

Southern Brown Kiwi live on the mainland (South Island) and Stewart Island. On the South Island, they live in Fiordland
 and Westland. Their range is temperate and sub-tropical forests, grassland, and shrubland, the denser the better,. They are widespread throughout Stewart Island where they also live on the sand dunes.

Conservation

In 2000, after being recognized by IUCN, they were placed in the Vulnerable status group.They have an occurrence range of 9,800 km² (3,800 sq mi) and population of 27,000, estimated in 1996. Brush-tailed possums, Trichosurus vulpecula, and stoats,Mustela erminea, will eat the eggs, while stoats and cats will eat chicks and juveniles. Adults are also under threat as dogs, ferrets, and brush-tailed possum, attack them and the juveniles. The Stewart Island population is stable due to the lack of these predators,however stoats may have colonized the island in 2000.

>Apteryx rowi (Okarito Kiwi)

Okarito Kiwi

 

Okarito Kiwi
Conservation status
Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Struthioniformes
Family:	Apterygidae
Genus:	Apteryx
Species:	A. rowi
Binomial name
Apteryx rowi Tennyson et al., 2003

The Okarito Kiwi, Apteryx rowi, also known as the Rowi or Okarito Brown Kiwi, is a member of the Kiwi family Apterygidae, described as new to science in 2003. The species is part of the Brown Kiwi complex, and is morphologically very similar to other members of that complex. It is found in a restricted area of the Okarito forest on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, and has a population of about only 300 birds. Some Okarito Brown Kiwis may live up to 100 years.

Taxonomy

The Okarito Kiwi is a monotypic species. Their genus name Apteryx stems from the Greek "without wings". This bird is a ratite and has similarities to the others (Emu, Ostrich, Rhea,Cassowary). Its sternum has no keel, its wings are minimal, and it has no preen gland. Its palate is also distinctive, and its feathers have no barbules or aftershaft. Other features that are similar to only the other kiwis is a weak gizzard and no tail, only a pygostyle.

Range and habitat

The Okarito Brown Kiwi lives in the Okarito forest on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. On the 29th of June 2010, three breeding pairs were released onto Blumine Island as part of a breeding program. 

Reproduction

The female can lay up to three eggs, each in a different nest. Both the male and the female incubate the eggs. The egg is very large, as it weighs 20% of the female's weight (as in all kiwis). Most pairs are monogamous throughout their lives.

Status and conservation

Its conservation status has been set as "nationally critical". Conservation efforts such as Operation Nest Egg and the stoat control regime have been partially successful in restoring the Rowi population. However, the rowi is still in a fragile stage of existence. Predation, mainly from imported animals such as stoats, is still the biggest threat to the Rowi. The South Okarito Forest was designated a kiwi sanctuary in 2000.

>Apteryx owenii (Little Spotted Kiwi)

Little Spotted Kiwi

Little Spotted Kiwi
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Apterygiformes
Family:	Apterygidae
Genus:	Apteryx
Species:	A. owenii
Binomial name
Apteryx owenii (Gould, 1847)
Sub-species
A. o. owenii †A. o. iredelai North Island Little Spotted Kiwi

The Little Spotted Kiwi or Little Gray Kiwi, Apteryx owenii, is a small species of kiwi originally from New Zealand's South Island (what is known is they used to live near Marlborough and where Tokoeka currently live) that, around 1890 and 1910 was captured (for conservation purposes) and later released on Kapiti Island. Little Spotted Kiwis are the smallest species of kiwi, at about .9–1.9 kg (2.0–4.2 lb), about the size of a bantam.

Taxonomy

The Little spotted kiwi is a ratite and belongs to the Apterygiormes Order, and the Apterygidae Family. Their binomial name Apteryx oweniibreaks down to without wings and owenii which is named after Sir Richard Owen. Today, only the nominate subspecies A. o. owenii exists. The little-known and somewhat mysterious North Island Little Spotted Kiwi A. o. iredalei from the North Island went extinct in the late 19th century.

The Little Spotted Kiwi was first described as Apteryx owenii by John Gould, in 1847, based on a specimen from New Zealand.

Description

The Little Spotted Kiwi has a length of 35–45 cm (14–18 in) and the weight of the male is .9–1.3 kg (2.0–2.9 lb) and the female weighs 1–1.9 kg (2.2–4.2 lb). Their feathers are pale-mottled gray, with fine white mottling, and are shaggy looking. They lack aftershafts and barbules. They have large vibrissae feathers around the gape. They lack a tail, but have a small pygostyle.Their bill is ivory and long and their legs are pale.

Range and habitat

After they were released on Kapiti Island, they were also moved to Red Mercury Island, Hen Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, and Long Island in the Queen Charlotte Sound. In 2000, about 20 Little Spotted Kiwis were released in to Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. This was the first time since about 1900 that Little Spotted Kiwis could be found on the North or South Islands. Studies on Kapiti Island show that they prefer flax, seral, and older forest. Lower numbers in rough grassland and scrub show that they aren't as fond or need more space in these areas.

Behavior

The little spotted kiwi tends to eat grubs and other small insects that like to burrow far into the ground, and also will eat certain types of fruit. Hence the sharp talons and long beak, it digs into the ground with its talons then shoves its long beak down the soft ground. Since they can't fly to get to insects or food on trees and their eyesight is very poor they depend on a keen sense of smell, long beak and talons.

Reproduction

Breeding Population and Trends

Location	Population	Date	Trend
Hen Island	50	2000	Increasing
Kapiti Island	1,000	2000	Stable
Red Mercury Island	30	2000	Increasing
Long Island	10	2000	Increasing
Tiritiri Matangi	15	2000	Increasing
Karori Wildlife Sanctuary	70	2008	Increasing
Motuihe Island	9
Total (New Zealand)	1,200	2000	Stable

They nest in an excavated burrow, dug by both birds and sometimes line the nest with plant material. The clutch size is one to two eggs (15% have 2), and are incubated by the male for a period of 63–76 days. After hatching they stay in the nest for 2–3 weeks and require feeding for 4 weeks. The largest egg in comparison with the size of the bird is laid by the Little Spotted Kiwi. Its egg accounts for 26 percent of its own weight—the equivalent of a human woman giving birth to a six year old child.

Human interaction

The little spotted kiwi was first described in 1847 by John Gould from a specimen obtained by F. Strang. The locality is not recorded but probably it came from Nelson or Marlborough. In 1873, Henry Potts published an account of its habits and about this time specimens were collected in South Westland and sent to England. At that time the species was common on the western side of the South Island and in Marlborough. Then a regular trade in skins sprang up and large numbers were collected for European museums. Further, with the advance of European settlement, birds were killed by prospectors and others for food and their attendant dogs and cats took their toll on this, the smallest of the kiwi.

Conservation

As the smallest species of kiwi, the Little Spotted Kiwi would be an ideal meal for main kiwi predators like cats, dogs, and stoats, however the Little Spotted Kiwi lives on several off-shore islands (mainly Kapiti Island). The Little Spotted Kiwi's conservation status is listed as 'Range Restricted' (by 'Save The Kiwi'), with a growing population. Formerly classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, it was suspected to be more numerous than generally assumed. Following the evaluation of its population size, this was found to be correct, and it is consequently downlisted to Near Threatened status in 2008 as it is not a particularly rare bird but its small range puts it at risk. The lack of predators on its islands is important to its increasing numbers, although Weka, Gallirallus australis, seems to be on Kapiti Island. It has an occurrence range of 31 km² (12 sq mi), with a population of 1150, which was estimated in 2000.