7. Little Spotted Kiwi

General

The least common of the kiwis and possibly declining. There is little reliable information on distribution and numbers. Fully protected.

Call

Similar to brown kiwi but higher pitched and more tremulous in quality.

Size: 36-46cm
Status: Endangered.
Range: Western districts of the South Island.

Habitat

Native forests.

Food

similar to brown kiwi.

Breeding

One white egg.

6. Great spotted Kiwi

General

Although larger, this species is difficult to distinguish from the little spotted in the field, and it can be confused with the brown kiwi. Its back has a chestnut tinge. Fully protected.

Call

(Same as Brown Kiwi) Male a shrill, repeated, drawn out whistle “kiwi” (pronounced keewee); female a hoarse cry. The emphasis seems to be on the second syllable.

Size: 46-56cm
Status: Threatened.
Range: Western districts of the South Island.

Habitat

In Native forest. mostly

Food

(Same as Brown Kiwi) Insects and worms, often obtained by probing in the ground, and forest fruits.

Breeding

1 sometimes 2 eggs

5. Brown Kiwi

General

North Island. South Island and Stewart Island birds are considered to be of separate subspecies. The differences, however, are not readily apparent in the field. The kiwi is nocturnal and has poor eyesight. Although it is flightless, it can run very fast. Fully protected.

Call

Male a shrill, repeated, drawn out whistle “kiwi” (pronounced keewee); female a hoarse cry. The emphasis seems to be on the second syllable.


Size: 46-56cm
Status: Threatened.
Range: Throughout North Island but rarely reported south of the Manawatu Gorge. Northern and western parts of the South Island. Stewart Island.

Habitat

Native forests, some forest remnants and scrub country.

Food

Insects and worms, often obtained by probing in the ground, and forest fruits.

Breeding

July-February. One, sometimes two, white eggs.

4. Kakapo (Night Parrot)

Description

The kakapo is the worlds most rarest and strangest Parrot. It’s the only flightless and nocturnal parrot, as well as the heaviest in the world, weighing up to 3.5 kilograms (8 lbs). The kakapo has soft moss-green feathers barred with black on its back, pale yellow-green feathers underneath and, hidden away, an unusually soft layer of downy feathers. (Old specimens of pure yellow kakapo are existing in various museums around the globe.) The females are smaller and less brightly colored than the males. It has an owl-like face with 'whiskers', and a large ivory and pale blue beak. The kakapos' unique bill structure is adapted for grinding food finely. Kakapo have very sturdy legs and cannot fly but they still use their wings for balance while walking and running.

Close Relatives

Kakapo is only found in New Zealand and is not closely related to any Parrot family.

Distribution

New Zealand

Habitat

The Kakapo is is quite solitary. They live alone normaly and have large ranges, travelling several kilometers in one night. Males range from 15-30 hectares and females range from 35-50 hectares to find food for their young. When ranges overlaps they make a noise called 'skraarking' to keep a distance from each other.

Food

Kakapos live of Roots, seeds, fruits, bulbs, buds, flowers, leaves, cones and pollen of many different plants. Their diet varies according to witch food plants are available. Kakapo and native Pigeons called Kereru are New Zealands only plant eating birds

Lifespan

Kakapo lives for more than 60 years.

3. Little Blue Penguins (Korora)

Description

The little blue penguin is the smallest penguin of al kinds, growing about 35–40cm tall and weighing about 1kg. These penguins live up to 6-7 years in the wild but can live up to 20 years in captivity. The little blue penguin can be found al around the coast of New Zealand. They have sport steel blue coats and white bellies, which is the perfect camouflage for swimming in the ocean. Little blues race through the water at speeds of around 6km per hour.

Call

Little Blue penguins make a variety of calls to keep in contact at sea (barks), declare territory and advertise for mates (brays) and to let the neighbors know they are home (croon). The only call chicks make is a high pitch peeping as they beg for food.

Distribution

New Zealand

Habitat

Blue penguins breed underground in burrows or natural holes, although they will make use of any man-made cavity. Near human habitation it is not uncommon to find them nesting under buildings, stacks of timber or even railway tracks.

Food

Little blue penguins feed on a variety of surface schooling fish, squid and crustaceans.

Breeding

Between May and June the Little Blues prepare their nests for the breeding season. Between August and November a breeding pair will lay 1 or 2 eggs. By around eight weeks of age the chicks are ready to fend for themselves. Little blues commonly return to the same breeding ground they were hatched and will continue to use the same spot. Each year little blues will spend 2 weeks ashore moulting and growing a new coat. Although numbers of Little Blues have reduced since the introduction of Mustelids and the ever expanding human population, with care from the Department of Conservation their numbers are stable and they are not considered under threat from extinction

1. Kea (Nestor Notabilis)

Keas are famous for their mischievous nature, boldness and playfulness. Like climbing onto cars and ski lodges. They are also very intelligent providing endless entertainment to New Zealanders and Locals. But they are also known to wreck human property.

Description

Length 19in (48cm). Weight 35oz (1000g).
General plumage olive green, the feathers being margined with black. Only the rump is orange red. In flight displays a bright flash of orange red on underside of wings, bordered by the orange yellow underside of the flight feathers. The bill is dark gray, intends to be longer and more decurved in the male than in the female.

Call

Soft conversational notes and in flight a raucous Kee-aah.

Distribution

New Zealand

Habitat

Fairly common in mountains between 2000-6550ft (600-2000m), living in wooded valleys and nothofagus forests on the edge of sub-alpine scrublands. In spring and autumn they migrate up into the alpine scrub and grasslands to feed on seasonal fruits. In winter, heavy snowfall may force the Kea birds below the timberline.

Food

Kea birds eat almost anything from seeds, fruits, insects and scavenging carcasses.

Breeding

Nests are build in deep holes under rocks or roots of a tree, or in a hollow log on the ground. 3-4 eggs are laid and only incubated by the female for only 28 days. For the first month only the female feeds her chicks and then the male eventually takes over. The chick leave the nest after 10-13 weeks.

2. Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

This stylish white parrot is a popular pet and as a result still traded in large numbers in the wild, despite being legally protected. Its feathers are also in great demand by local people for ornaments. In some areas the cockatoo is rare, but in other areas it is considered as a pest, raiding cereal fields and haystacks.

Description

Length 20in (50cm). Weight 28-34oz (800-950g). A cockatoo’s body feathers are white, only the forward crest and undersides of the tail and flight feathers are yellow. Bill and legs are dark-grey. Males eyes are dark brown and females eyes are reddish brown with a naked ring of white flesh around the eyes.

Call

A harsh, raucous screech. When alarmed a series of loud screeches, when the cockatoo is feeding he/she makes a squawk or whistle sound. Can also learn human words.

Distribution

New Guinea and offshore islands, northern and eastern Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and Indonesia

Habitat

They love Primary forest, savannah woodland, partially cleared forests, coastal mangroves and civilized fields up to 8000ft (2400m). Often found in big groups. However they are very cautious and difficult to approach. Cockatoo’s stand guard within the group giving a warning cry at danger, so the whole group takes of. Each group has a roosting tree from witch they fly to and from feeding areas.

Food

Their diet consists of seeds, fruits, flowers, leaf buds, roots and insects.

Breeding

The male displays with crest raised, strutting towards the female and bobbing his head up and down, and swishing it sideways with soft calls. They built their nests up high in hollow trees and also in holes in cliffs and on top of haystacks. 2-3 eggs are laid and incubated by both parents for 26 days. The young chicks leave the nest after about 11 weeks.