Kiwi: (Apteryx) Flightless nocturnal
bird  related to the Ostrich and Emu.
It has short powerful legs, coarse dark plumage and a
long slender bill with nostrils at the end which they use
to locate food. They feed on insects, snails, berries and
earthworms. There are three species. All are protected by
law. The brown kiwi lays an egg approximately 10 percent
of its body weight, the largest of any bird. The image of
the Kiwi is on New Zealand's coins, paper money and
stamps and is also used colloquially as a term for a New
Zealander. |