The kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand. Known for its long beak, brown plumage, and round body, the kiwi has become one of the most iconic symbols of New Zealand wildlife. But where does the name “kiwi” come from and why are these unique birds called kiwis?
In this article, we’ll explore the origins of the kiwi name, theories about how it came about, and reasons why it stuck as the common name used today. We’ll also learn more about the characteristics and history of the kiwi itself – a truly fascinating bird.
What is a Kiwi Bird?
The kiwi is a bird species native to New Zealand. There are five species of kiwi remaining today:
Species | Scientific Name | Where Found |
---|---|---|
North Island Brown Kiwi | Apteryx mantelli | North Island of New Zealand |
Okarito Kiwi | Apteryx rowi | Okarito Forest on South Island |
Southern Brown Kiwi | Apteryx australis | South Island, Stewart Island |
Great Spotted Kiwi | Apteryx haastii | Northwest South Island |
Little Spotted Kiwi | Apteryx owenii | Kapiti Island, South Island |
Some key facts about kiwi birds:
– Flightless, with small wings relative to body size
– Long, thin beak with nostrils at tip used for probing ground
– Nocturnal, with highly developed sense of smell
– Plumage is hair-like and serves as insulation
– Lay eggs that are very large relative to body size
– National bird symbol of New Zealand
Kiwi birds are in the genus Apteryx, which includes 5 living species. They are part of the ratite group of flightless birds that also includes ostriches, emus, rheas, and cassowaries. Scientists believe kiwi ancestors may have flown to New Zealand from Australia and later evolved to become flightless.
Theories on the Origin of the Name “Kiwi”
There are a few main theories about how the kiwi bird got its name:
Onomatopoeic Theory
One idea is that “kiwi” is an onomatopoeic word – meaning it phonetically imitates a sound associated with the bird. Some believe the name comes from the high-pitched crying sound the kiwi makes during mating season. This call was likely interpreted as sounding like “kee-wee” to early European settlers.
“Kiwi” Derived from Māori Language
In Māori, New Zealand’s indigenous Polynesian language, the word “kiwi” refers to several things:
– The kiwi bird
– A small forest-dwelling parrot now called the kakapo (Strigops habroptilus)
– A type of vine called Tetragonia (T. tetragonioides)
Some theorize that early Māori may have used “kiwi” as a general word for anything small, brown, and round. This included the kiwi bird, kakapo parrot, and vine – leading to the adoption of “kiwi” as the name for Apteryx species.
“Kiwi” Borrowed from Polynesian Dialects
Another theory suggests “kiwi” comes from related Polynesian languages or dialects associated with the ancestral Māori population. In parts of Indonesia and the Philippines, “kiwi” refers to other native birds or fruit. This indicates “kiwi” could be a borrowed term from those dialects.
First Written Uses of “Kiwi”
The first known written records of the word “kiwi” come from the early 1800s:
1824 – Kon Tiki Expedition Journal
Norwegian explorer and anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl discovered that the term “kiwi” was recorded in 1824 by a crew member on the Kon Tiki raft expedition from South America. This suggests the name was already in use by indigenous populations when Europeans arrived.
1835 – Book by Richard Cruise
The book “Journal of a Ten Months’ Residence in New Zealand” by Richard Cruise published in 1835 contains one of the earliest known published uses of the word “kiwi” referring specifically to the Apteryx bird species.
1850s – Walter Buller Scientific Descriptions
Prominent New Zealand scientist Walter Buller used “kiwi” frequently in his published descriptions of Apteryx species in the 1850s. This helped popularize “kiwi” as the common name used in ornithology and biology.
So by the mid-1800s, the term “kiwi” was well established as the widely used common name for these unique flightless birds.
Why Did “Kiwi” Stick as the Bird’s Name?
There are some key reasons why “kiwi” became the enduring English name for New Zealand’s national bird:
Onomatopoeic Nature
The onomatopoeic quality of “kiwi” – mimicking the bird’s shrieking call – gave it an instantly recognizable meaning and connection to the bird itself. This made it easy to remember.
Adoption by Māori Culture
Early use of “kiwi” by Māori as a familiar word for the bird helped it gain wider use when Europeans explored New Zealand. The Māori association gave it authenticity.
Lack of Existing Common Name
Since the kiwi was unique to New Zealand, there was no prevalent English name already in use. “Kiwi” filled that void as a distinctive title.
Scientific Documentation
Use of “kiwi” in biological descriptions by Walter Buller and other scientists further cemented it as the authoritative common name for Apteryx species.
Kiwi as National Symbol
As the kiwi’s popularity grew, it was increasingly embraced as a national symbol of New Zealand. Being such an iconic representation of the country helped solidify the use of “kiwi” as the standard name.
Other New Zealand Birds Named After Kiwi
The kiwi’s status as New Zealand’s most famous bird has led to some other native birds being colloquially named after it:
Kiwi Pigeon
The New Zealand pigeon (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) is sometimes referred to as the “kiwi pigeon” due to its brown plumage similar to kiwi feathers.
Little Spotted Kiwi
One species of kiwi is itself named the Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii), likely for its white speckling that resembles the larger Spotted Kiwi.
Kiwi Sparrow
The New Zealand pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae), a small brown songbird, is informally known as the “kiwi sparrow” due to the physical and behavioral similarities it shares with kiwis.
So the legacy of New Zealand’s beloved kiwi lives on in the commemorative names given to some of its other native birds.
Conclusion
The kiwi is such an iconic part of New Zealand wildlife that it’s hard to imagine it being called anything else. But there are several theories about the origins of its unusual name. The most likely sources are the kiwi’s own screeching call that sounds like “kee-wee,” the early Māori use of “kiwi” to refer to many small, brown creatures, or some form of the word in related Polynesian dialects.
Whatever its exact origins, “kiwi” had become established as the enduring name for Apteryx species by the mid-1800s due to factors like its onomatopoeic qualities, adoption into Māori culture, lack of another existing name, and formal documentation by scientists. The kiwi’s status as a national symbol further solidified its name and sparked the informal naming of some other native birds after it. So the little brown kiwi bird turns out to have quite an interesting story behind how it got its name!