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Update on Te Papakura o Taranaki Kiwi
It has been another largely successful year for monitoring programme, we are thrilled that kiwi are now resident across the northern side of the Maunga, Pouakai and Kaitake Ranges. Pictured
About the Kiwi
Kiwi Information
Taranaki is the home of the North Island Brown Kiwi and they can be found on Mt Taranaki and in forested areas of North, South & East Taranaki.
Kiwi are nocturnal but occasionally they may be active during the day.
If you are out in the bush during the day you may be able to find some signs of kiwi. These include;
- probe holes
- footprints
- feathers
- droppings
- burrows
Kiwi Footprints
Kiwi Feather
Kiwi Probe Hole
What makes kiwi unique?
- A small wing with a tiny hook at the end
- Small eyes, ears and whiskers like a cat
- Nostrils at the tip of the bill, good for probing food
- Very strong legs and sharp claws, great for building burrows and running fast
- Females are between 2.2kg and 2.8kg, males are between 1.8kg and 2.3kg
- Kiwi grow very slowly
- Males – breeding age approximately 18 months old, females 2+ years
Kiwi Breeding
- North Island brown kiwi start breeding at 18 months (males) and 2+ years (female)
- Breeding season – August to April
- In Taranaki they often lay two eggs per clutch, and up to two clutches per season
- A kiwi egg can be up to 20% of the females body weight
- The male incubates the eggs for 65-85 days
- A chick takes 3-4 days to hatch and emerges fully feathered, a miniature adult
Kiwi Threats
- Habitat loss
- Predators, including ferrets, stoats, cats and dogs
- In areas with no predator control Less than 5% of chicks survive to 6 months of age
- Stoats are a major problem for chicks. The stealthy stoat is responsible for killing about 90% of chicks in unmanaged areas and the tell-tale wounds on the neck or head
- Ferrets are able to kill adult kiwi as well as chicks and anecdotal evidence suggests their numbers may be on the rise.
- Feral cats/wild cats are active hunters at day and night and it is very hard to detect numbers as they are quick to hide. They have a large range in which they cover with males known to range over 20 km.
- Any type of dog is a risk. The scent of kiwi is irresistible to dogs, which makes them easy to track and find.
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WOMAD 2023 Official Charity
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What makes kiwi unique?
- A small wing with a tiny hook at the end
- Small eyes, ears and whiskers like a cat
- Nostrils at the tip of the bill, good for probing food
- Very strong legs and sharp claws, great for building burrows and running fast
- Females are between 2.2kg and 2.8kg, males are between 1.8kg and 2.3kg
- Kiwi grow very slowly
- Males – breeding age approximately 18 months old, females 2+ years
Kiwi Breeding
- North Island brown kiwi start breeding at 18 months (males) and 2+ years (female)
- Breeding season – August to April
- In Taranaki they often lay two eggs per clutch, and up to two clutches per season
- A kiwi egg can be up to 20% of the females body weight
- The male incubates the eggs for 65-85 days
- A chick takes 3-4 days to hatch and emerges fully feathered, a miniature adult
Kiwi Threats
- Habitat loss
- Predators, including ferrets, stoats, cats and dogs
- In areas with no predator control Less than 5% of chicks survive to 6 months of age
- Stoats are a major problem for chicks. The stealthy stoat is responsible for killing about 90% of chicks in unmanaged areas and the tell-tale wounds on the neck or head
- Ferrets are able to kill adult kiwi as well as chicks and anecdotal evidence suggests their numbers may be on the rise.
- Feral cats/wild cats are active hunters at day and night and it is very hard to detect numbers as they are quick to hide. They have a large range in which they cover with males known to range over 20 km.
- Any type of dog is a risk. The scent of kiwi is irresistible to dogs, which makes them easy to track and find.
