Tokoeka, Common kiwi, Southern brown kiwi, Tokoeka, Common kiwi
The southern brown kiwi, tokoeka, or common kiwi (Apteryx australis ) is a species of kiwi from South Island, New Zealand. Until 2000 it was considered conspecific with the North Island brown kiwi, and still is by some authorities.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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VermivorousVermivore (from Latin vermi, meaning "worm" and vorare, "to devour") is a zoological term for animals that eat worms (including annelids, nematodes...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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Island endemicIsland endemic animals are found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island. Animals or organisms that are indigenous to a place ar...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
Oviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Southern brown kiwi is a shy flightless bird that is only found in New Zealand. It has no preen gland, and it has no tail. There are large vibrissae around its gape, and its bill is long and slender with a slight down-curve. The color of its plumage is rufous with some streaking.
Southern brown kiwi are native to New Zealand. They live in the South Island and Stewart Island. On the mainland (South Island) they live in Fiordland and Westland. These birds inhabit temperate and sub-tropical forests, grassland, and shrubland. They are widespread throughout Stewart Island where they also live on the sand dunes.
Southern brown kiwi are social birds and often live in family groups. They are nocturnal, however, in some parts of their range Southern brown kiwi may forage during the day. These birds have a long slender bill with lateral nostrils at the tip, which helps give them their keen sense of smell. Kiwi use this, more than sight and sound to forage in the dirt for their food. They feel the vibrations produced by worms and grubs several centimeters below the surface. Southern brown kiwi communicate vocally to aid in defending their territory. They will also sing duets with each other, with the male shrill "kee-wee" or "kee-kee" and the females hoarse " kurr kurr". Males are more vocal and they both call in an upright position with their legs stretched out and their bill pointing up.
Southern brown kiwi are carnivorous birds. They feed on invertebrates, including earthworms, beetle larvae, snails, spiders, centipedes, grasshoppers, and crickets. They will also consume fallen fruit and leaves.
Southern brown kiwi are monogamous and once paired up, they will defend their territories with warning calls. The size of their territory usually ranges between 4.9 and 43 hectares (12 and 106 acres). Nests are made in burrows or sheltered beneath thick vegetation. The female lays 1-2 eggs, typically just 1, which the male incubates for 90 days. The chick is hatched fully-developed (precocial) and after a few days, it will leave the nest. The chick will feed on its own but may stay around parents for a year. Young males become reproductively mature and start breeding at 14 months of age while young females reach their maturity when they are 2 years old.
Southern brown kiwi are threatened by the habitat loss and by predation from Brush-tailed possums, stoats, and cats that eat the eggs, chicks, and juveniles. Adult birds are also often attacked by dogs and ferrets.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total Southern brown kiwi population size is around 21,350 birds which include around 19,900 mature individuals. Specific populations have been estimated in such areas: 12,000 birds on Stewart Island; 9,000 birds in Fiordland. The Haast population consists of 350 birds. Overall, currently, Southern brown kiwi are classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List and their numbers today are decreasing.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...