Kiwi is a bird with an unusual appearance and strange habits for birds. Renowned zoologist William Calder called these birds "honorable mammals". If you are lucky enough to see this strange creature, most likely you will remember this meeting for a long time.
The kiwi bird with the shape of its body resembles a domesticated chicken without a tail. It has strong legs with four toes, a long beak with nostrils located at its very tip. In all other birds, the nostrils are located at the base of the beak. Near the kiwi's beak, vibrissae are located, which in some way makes birds of this species related to the feline family.
It is also interesting that the bird's wings are very poorly developed, and it cannot fly. Why bother with kiwi wings? It turns out that they need them for a comfortable sleep. The birds put their long beak under the wing and sleep in this position.
If you want to take a kiwi feather as a souvenir, you will be disappointed. The fact is that what the bird's body is covered with is easier to call wool than feathers. Their color in different subspecies ranges from gray to light brown.
The unusualness of kiwi birds is manifested not only in their exotic appearance, but also in their habits. The bones of birds are filled with brain cells, they are not hollow like other birds. This is probably the reason why kiwis are showing signs of intelligence. It is especially noticeable in the process of building burrows by birds, and they live in them, and not in nests. Kiwi minks have many branches and labyrinths, one dwelling can be equipped with five or more exits. The entrance to the dwelling is very carefully masked by unusual birds with twigs and grass.
Kiwi spend most of the day in their burrow, going out hunting only after sunset. Birds feed on insects, worms, berries, seeds and aquatic invertebrates. A keen sense of smell and a long curved beak, which they now and then launch into the ground, allows them to very quickly find prey.
Kiwi family life also has its own characteristics. Birds are monogamous, and if they do not remain faithful to each other all their lives, then several seasons in a row - for sure. However, their marriage can be called a guest marriage, since the kiwis do not live together, but only visit each other, remembering their partner and remaining faithful to him.
The male is actively involved in hatching eggs. But right after the chicks are born, their parents abandon them. From the first days of life, kiwis learn to survive, relying only on their own strength. Birds of this species live for a long time - 50-60 years.
Found mainly in New Zealand, the kiwi bird has become a symbol of this country. When the threat of complete extinction hung over the population of these birds several decades ago, the state developed a national program to restore their numbers.
