Stewart Island kiwi explained

The Stewart Island tokoeka, Stewart Island kiwi, Rakiura tokoeka or Rakiura kiwi (Apteryx australis lawryi) is a subspecies of southern brown kiwi endemic to New Zealand. Like other ratites, it is a flightless bird.[1] [2]

Appearance

The Stewart Island tokoeka is the largest type of southern brown kiwi. It has red-brown feathers that resemble fur. It has small wings and a long, curved bill. The nostrils are at the end of the bill, not at the top near the rest of its face. Experts think the kiwi can smell very well.

Habitat and family

About 20,000 Stewart Island tokoeka live on Stewart Island. Unlike other kiwis, they are diurnal rather than active only at night.

Unlike other kiwis, the Stewart Island tokoeka is not solitary, instead living in family groups. The chicks remain with their parents for up to seven years, during which they take turns incubating their parents' younger eggs. Scientists believe this assistance by older siblings may be why kiwi parents sometimes have two clutches each year.[3] This kiwi also goes onto the beach to look for food, which most other kiwis do not do.[4] [5]

Threats

Invasive mustelids, such as stoats, never established themselves on Stewart Island to the same extent as in the rest of New Zealand. However, there are feral cats on Stewart Island, and they can be very large.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: New Zealand Birds Online. 18 August 2021. Southern Brown Kiwi.
  2. Web site: Birds. 21 August 2021. Stewart Island Promotion Association.
  3. Web site: Tokoeka – literally meaning 'weka with a walking stick' (Ngāi Tahu) – has three geographically and genetically distinct forms: Haast, Fiordland, and Rakiura (Stewart Island). . 23 August 2021. New Zealand Department of Conservation.
  4. Book: Top 100 Birding Sites Of The World. 21 August 2021. 18 June 2015. Bloomsbury Publishing. Dominic Couzens. 9781472919854 .
  5. Book: Adventure Guide to New Zealand. 22 August 2021. Bette Flagler . 2004. Hunter Publishing, Incorporated. 9781588435446 .
  6. Book: Stewart Island: The Last Refuge . 98. Random House New Zealand. 22 August 2021. Erwin Brinkmann. Neville Peat. 1992. 9781869411657.