Everything about Great Spotted Kiwi totally explained
| image = Apteryx_haastii.jpg
| status = VU
| regnum =
Animalia
| phylum =
Chordata
| classis =
Aves
| ordo =
Struthioniformes
| familia =
Apterygidae
| genus =
Apteryx
| species =
A. haastii
| binomial =
Apteryx haastii
| binomial_authority = (Potts, 1872)
| range_map = 418px-NZ-kiwimapApteryx haastii.png
| range_map_width = 240px
| range_map_caption = Range of the Great Spotted Kiwi
}}
The
Great Spotted Kiwi or
Roroa (
Apteryx haastii) is a relatively common species of
kiwi from the
South Island of
New Zealand. Unlike its smaller cousin, the
Little Spotted Kiwi, the Roroa was able to elude predators, which include pigs, dogs, ferrets and stoats. Despite this, there has been a 43% decline in population, likely due to these invasive species. This has led it to be classified as
Vulnerable. The Great Spotted Kiwi is the largest kiwi both in weight (females about 3.3 kg. males about 2.4 kg) and height (45cm or 18in.) There are about 20,000 great spotted kiwis in total, almost all in the more mountainous parts of northwest Nelson, the northwest coast, and the
Southern Alps.
Discovery
Before the Great Spotted Kiwi was discovered, several stories circulated about the existence of a large kiwi called the Maori Roaroa. In 1871, two specimens were brought to the
Canterbury Museum, where they were identified as a new species and were named after the museum's curator, Dr. Haast.
Distribution and habitat
These kiwis live in higher altitude areas. Populations are present at
Nelson, the northwest coast, and the
Southern Alps, However, there has been a decrease in population of 43%,
Diet
The Great Spotted Kiwi has a good sense of smell. In the ground they search for earthworms and grubs.
Predation
Because adult Great Spotted Kiwis are large and powerful, they're able to fend off most predators that attack them, such as
stoats,
ferrets,
possums and cats. However,
dogs are able to kill even adults. Stoats, ferrets, possums, cats and dogs will feed on the eggs and chicks, meaning 95% of chicks die within their first five months of living.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Great Spotted Kiwi'.
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