Southern Brown Kiwi

1. Long, pale, slightly curved bill \- much longer than other bird species

2. Flightless with no visible wings, giving a rounded appearance

3. Shaggy, fur-like feathers in various shades of brown

Tokoeka are monogamous and fiercely territorial. They use their strong sense of smell to forage for insects and worms. Breeding occurs from July to December, with shared incubation duties. Predation by introduced mammals poses a significant threat to these unique birds.

Look for tokoeka in native forests, scrublands, and even tussock grasslands of Fiordland, Westland, and Stewart Island. These shy birds are mostly active at night, so listen for their distinctive calls after dusk. During the day, they hide in burrows or under thick vegetation. Try searching near forest edges or along walking tracks, keeping an eye out for probe marks in soft soil \- a sign of recent kiwi foraging.

Tokoeka have inhabited New Zealand for millions of years, evolving in the absence of mammalian predators. They hold great cultural significance for Māori, who consider kiwi as taonga (treasure) and sometimes use their feathers in traditional cloaks.