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Photo: Mark Anderson / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Vulnerable

Okarito Kiwi

Apteryx rowi

Okarito Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) — Ratites & Tinamous of Australia & Oceania.

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The Okarito Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) is a member of the Apterygidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 1.9 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

  1. Class Aves
  2. Order Apterygiformes
  3. Family Apterygidae Kiwis
  4. Genus Apteryx
  5. Species rowi

Where it lives

Okarito Forest (west-central South I., New Zealand)

Quick facts

Weight
1.9 kg
Family
Apterygidae
Habitat
Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Okarito Kiwi is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Okarito Kiwi is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The Okarito Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) belongs to the Apterygidae family of the order Apterygiformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Okarito Forest (wc South I., New Zealand).

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.9 kg, with a wing length of about 0 cm and a tail of around 0 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

The species has a mapped global range of roughly 239 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Songs & calls

Okarito Kiwi — Call

Recorded by Ralf Wendt Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Okarito Kiwi — Call

Recorded by Ralf Wendt Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Okarito Kiwi — Call

Recorded by Ralf Wendt Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Okarito Kiwi — Call

Recorded by Jonas Kotlarz Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Okarito Kiwi?

The Okarito Kiwi is a very large bird that weighs around 1.9 kg.

Where does the Okarito Kiwi live?

The Okarito Kiwi is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Okarito Forest (wc South I., New Zealand), where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.

What family does the Okarito Kiwi belong to?

The Okarito Kiwi (Apteryx rowi) belongs to the Apterygidae family, in the order Apterygiformes.

What does the Okarito Kiwi eat?

The Okarito Kiwi is a invertivore — it feeds mainly on invertebrates such as insects and other small prey.

Does the Okarito Kiwi migrate?

The Okarito Kiwi is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the Okarito Kiwi endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

What sound does the Okarito Kiwi make?

4 real field recordings of the Okarito Kiwi — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, each credited to the recordist who captured it.

How large is the Okarito Kiwi's range?

The Okarito Kiwi has a mapped global range of about 239 km².

Conservation

Vulnerable

Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.

How to help birds

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