North Island Brown Kiwi

Apteryx mantelli

Difficult

The **North Island Brown Kiwi** (*Apteryx mantelli)* is a small flightless ratite featured in the Oceania Pack DLC for *Planet Zoo*.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population In Wild:** 10,000-20,000

The North Island brown kiwi (or Apteryx mantelli) is a small flightless bird native to the forests of Northern New Zealand. Its round body is covered in thick, brown feathers and supported by stocky, pink legs and feet. The kiwi has small, black eyes and a long, pink beak. Females are slightly larger and heavier than males, standing 50cm to 60cm (20in to 24in) tall and weighing around 2.8kg (6.2lb), compared to the male's height of 45cm to 55cm (18in to 22in) and weight of 2.2kg (4.9lb).

As a Vulnerable species, the North Island brown kiwi is at risk due to several factors. They are endemic to New Zealand, where before human arrival, they did not face predation. Roaming domesticated dogs and cats, as well as invasive stoats now kill many Kiwis. As a countermeasure, mammalian past control is being carried out in areas inhabited by Kiwis to prevent further population loss. Additionally, the Kiwi's vulnerability to bird flu, has further reduced their numbers. Large scale vaccination efforts have been introduced to inoculate the North Island brown kiwi against this virus.

### Social needs

The North Island brown kiwi s a solitary and territorial bird that lives alone or in monogamous mated pairs. It is occasionally found in small groups when travelling.

### Preproduction

North Island brown kiwis are territorial and maintain a territory that includes an underground burrow. A receptive female kiwi vocalises at the entrance of her burrow, at night in order to attract males. She may be volatile and aggressive towards approaching males while deciding whether to mate with them. If she accepts, the two engage in a mating display around the entrance of the burrow, which involves circling and chasing each other. Soon after, copulation takes place.

Shortly after mating, the famle lays one or two eggs, either inside the burrow or in a hollow log, thick vegetation, or rocky crevice. The eggs are exclusively incubated by the male for 2.5 to 4 months, after which the chicks hatch. Parents provide no care for their offspring after this point. The chicks are able to feed themselves immediately after hatching, and within 5 or 6 days, leave the nest for the first time. They remain in their natal burrow for 2 to 5 weeks before leaving it to find their own territory.

Male North Island brown kiwis reach sexual maturity at 1 year old, while females become sexually mature later, at 2 to 3 years old.

## Animal care

 FEEDING STATIONS
 FOOD ENRICHMENT
Slow Feeder · Forage Box · Termite Mound
Curio Ball · Water Jet Rock · Water Jet · Sprinkler · Herb Scent Marker · Mirror Mobile

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Fun Facts

* The North Island brown kiwis can live for up to 40 years.
* In North Island brown kiwis, only the male incubates the eggs.
* Kiwis have vestigial wings and can't fly. Like most other ratites, they have a small claw at the end of each wing.
* The North Island brown kiwis has the larges egg size relative to its body weight compared to all other birds.
* There are no native land predators in New Zealand, and the North Island brown kiwi is poorly adapted to counter predation. Without pest control, up to 94% of all kiwi chicks die to human-introduced wildlife or carnivorous pets, such as cats and dogs.

## Gallery

First reveal of the North Island Brown Kiwi