The name “kiwi” refers to a flightless bird native to New Zealand. Kiwis belong to the genus Apteryx, which includes five species – the North Island brown kiwi, the little spotted kiwi, the great spotted kiwi, the Okarito kiwi, and the Southern brown kiwi. The word “kiwi” comes from the Māori language, in which it is originally written as “kiwi”. In Māori, kiwi simply means “kiwi” and does not have any deeper meaning beyond referring to the bird itself.
Origin of the Name Kiwi for the Bird
The kiwi was given its name by the native Māori people of New Zealand. In the Māori language, which is part of the Austronesian language family, words tend to be very literal and descriptive. When the Māori first encountered these funny looking birds with long beaks and stubby wings that were different from any other bird they knew, they came up with the name “kiwi”. The word perfectly matched these unique creatures. Kiwi would have been used as both a noun naming the bird and an adjective describing it.
The first recorded use of the word comes from the 1850s. Europeans exploring and settling New Zealand learned the name from the Māori. Since the kiwi was such an odd and fascinating creature, the name quickly caught on in English too. Kiwi perfectly captured the essence of this quirky flightless bird. The word was soon after applied to other unique flora and fauna of New Zealand, such as the kiwifruit. Kiwi has become so strongly associated with New Zealand that it’s commonly used as a nickname for people and things related to the country.
Use of Kiwi by the Māori
To the Māori, the kiwi was an important part of their culture and environment. Their language had many different words to specify the variations of kiwi they encountered. The brown kiwi was called “roroa” and the great spotted kiwi was called “roa”. The Māori hunted kiwi for food and used their feathers for clothing and ornaments. The kiwi feathers were woven into beautiful cloaks and capes. Kiwi feathers were very meaningful to tribes who possessed them.
Other Names for the Kiwi Bird
Before being called kiwi, the bird had some other names too. Early European settlers called them “spurred-wingless birds” which described the odd spikes on their wings. Some also referred to them as “Maori hens” since they were flightless like domestic hens. The name kiwi quickly overtook these early descriptions. After the Māori name kiwi was widely adopted, scientists gave each species more official scientific names within the genus Apteryx as they studied them further. But to most people they will always be simply kiwis.
Physical Features of the Kiwi Bird
The kiwi is such a unique looking bird that its name had to match its unusual appearance. Here are some of the most distinctive physical features of the kiwi:
- Fur-like, hair-like feathers, unlike the sleek feathers of most birds
- Long, narrow, pointed beak, used for probing in the dirt
- Very small wings, about 1-3 inches long, that are basically vestigial and cannot be used for flight
- Stout, heavy bodies that vary in size for each species from 25-85 cm tall and weigh from 1-6 kg
- Thick, strong legs for running, with 4 toes on each foot
- No tail or just a small stub of a tail
- Excellent sense of smell, rare for birds
- Color ranges from mottled brown to dark gray with some white or red on the face
When seen moving about on the forest floor probing for insects, it becomes very clear why these birds were given the descriptive name “kiwi”. Their mammalian and reptilian features are exotic and puzzling for a bird. “Kiwi” suits their appearance and movements perfectly.
Behaviors of the Kiwi Bird
In addition to its odd looks, the kiwi has some equally unusual behaviors and traits that set it apart from other birds:
- Nocturnal – unlike most bird species, kiwis are nocturnal and do most of their foraging at night
- Cannot fly – their small vestigial wings make them flightless
- Good sense of smell to find food, rare for most bird species
- Adapted powerful legs for running and kicking dirt to find insects and worms
- Long life spans of 30-50 years, very long compared to similar sized birds
- Mate for life and share egg incubation and chick rearing duties – uncommon for birds
- Lay the largest egg relative to body size of any bird, up to 15-20% of female’s body weight
The kiwi’s nighttime habits, running locomotion, and family devotion are reminiscent of a mammal or meerkat. These traits and behaviors likely contributed to it receiving a distinctive name like kiwi that differentiated it from typical birds.
Uniqueness of the Kiwi Bird
The kiwi stands alone as the only member of its genus Apteryx and family Apterygidae. Some key facts about why the kiwi is so unique:
- Endemic only to New Zealand, not found anywhere else naturally in the world
- One of the closest living relatives to the extinct moa, an enormous flightless bird that once lived in New Zealand
- Believed to have evolved from a flying ancestor that migrated to New Zealand, then adapted over time to become flightless
- No known close relative, its taxonomic relations to other bird groups is unclear
- One of the most ancient bird lineages, functionally and genetically different from most living bird species
In the bird world, the peculiar kiwi stands in a class of its own. Its distinctive traits and appearance match its solitary status as the sole member of both its genus and family. The one-of-a-kind kiwi rightfully deserves its own one-of-a-kind name.
Kiwi as an Icon of New Zealand
The kiwi has become internationally associated with New Zealand. Some examples include:
- Called the “unofficial national bird” of New Zealand
- Featured on the 1 dollar coin and insignia of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Used in logos and branding by New Zealand companies and organizations
- Nickname for people from New Zealand – New Zealanders are called Kiwis
- Name of the clothing brand Kiwi, New Zealand’s shoe polish brand Kiwi, and New Zealand’s America’s Cup yacht Team New Zealand Kiwi Magic
- Subject of children’s books like Kiwi the People’s Bird by Des Hunt
The kiwi’s uniqueness matches the uniqueness of isolated New Zealand separated from all other land masses. The bird has become intertwined with the national identity of New Zealanders. Its name is the perfect symbol for the island nation.
Conservation Status
All species of kiwi are endangered and their populations are declining. Threats to kiwi include:
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Predation by dogs, cats, ferrets, stoats, and rats introduced to New Zealand
- Vehicles when kiwis are crossing roads
- Fishing nets and wires that trap kiwis
Estimates indicate the total number of kiwis has declined from 12 million about 700 years ago to fewer than 70,000 today. Conservation efforts are underway to try to save the remaining kiwis. Strategies include predator control, captive breeding programs, monitoring wild kiwi, working with local communities, and habitat protection. The odds are stacked against the kiwi though. Their unique status and important cultural meaning make it critical that this iconic bird does not go extinct.
Kiwi Species | Conservation Status | Estimated Population |
---|---|---|
North Island Brown Kiwi | Endangered | 25,000 |
Little Spotted Kiwi | Endangered | 1,200 |
Great Spotted Kiwi | Vulnerable | 22,000 |
Okarito Kiwi | Endangered | 400 |
Southern Brown Kiwi | Vulnerable | 21,000 |
Conclusion
The kiwi is an endemic bird found only in New Zealand that has evolved to be extremely unique compared to other bird species. Its unusual physical characteristics, nighttime behaviors, and solitary taxonomic status rightly earned it the distinctive name of “kiwi” from the native Māori people. The kiwi has rightfully become a national icon and symbol of pride for New Zealand. But its threatened conservation status means this iconic bird needs protection. The survival of all 5 remaining kiwi species is not guaranteed. But if conservation efforts can be successful, hopefully future generations will still be able to see kiwis running through the forests of New Zealand bringing a smile to people’s faces. The one and only kiwi is too precious to lose.