North Island Brown Kiwi

1. Long, pale bill curved slightly downward, with nostrils at the tip

2. Flightless bird with tiny vestigial wings and no visible tail

3. Spiky, streaked brown feathers that feel bristly to the touch

Kiwi pairs are often monogamous, producing 2-3 clutches of 1-2 eggs per year. The male incubates the eggs, which are remarkably large relative to the bird's body size. Chicks are precocial, leaving the nest within a week of hatching. Predation by introduced mammals is a significant threat to kiwi populations.

Look for North Island brown kiwi in dense forests, scrublands, and even pine plantations across the northern two-thirds of the North Island. They're most active at night, so dusk and dawn offer the best chances for spotting. Focus on the forest floor and listen for rustling in the undergrowth.

Kiwi have inhabited New Zealand for millions of years, evolving in the absence of mammalian predators. They hold great cultural significance for Māori, who consider them taonga (treasure). The bird's name is onomatopoeic, derived from its call.