- Apteryx haastii
Identification
50–60 cm
Plumage irregularly mottled with blackish-brown on a paler, greyer background and strongly tinged chestnut on the back. Bill whitish to pinkish, legs pale to dark brown.
Distribution
South Island, New Zealand, mainly in the north-west of the island with records from the Paparoa NP, Lewis's Pass and the Southern Alps at Arthur's Pass. Resident.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Upland beech forest, rough farmland and scrub. A very difficult bird to find, only likely to be seen in Paparoa NP.
Behaviour
Diet
They nest in a hole in tree-roots, dense vegetation, or hollow log, sometimes an excavated burrow. They usually lay 1 egg, sometimes 2, ivory-white to pale greenish. Incubated by male.
Diet
Their diet consists of worms, insect larvae and fallen fruit.
Vocalisation
Little-known, probably similar to Brown Kiwi.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2013. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: Version 6.8., with updates to August 2013. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Spotted Kiwi. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 1 June 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Spotted_Kiwi
