Little Spotted Kiwi

Taxobox
name = Little Spotted Kiwi


image_width = 220px
status = RR
status_system = NZTCS
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Struthioniformes
familia = Apterygidae
genus = "Apteryx"
species = "A. owenii"
binomial = "Apteryx owenii"
binomial_authority = Gould, 1847

The Little Spotted Kiwi ("Apteryx owenii") is a small species of kiwi originally from South Island (what is known is they used to live near Marlborough and where Tokoeka currently live) that, around 1890 and 1910 was captured (for conservation purposes) and later released on Kapiti Island. Little Spotted Kiwis are the smallest species of kiwi, at about 1 kilogram or 2.1 pounds, about the size of a bantam.

Today, only the nominate subspecies "Apteryx owenii owenii" exists. The little-known and somewhat mysterious North Island Little Spotted Kiwi "Apteryx owenii iredalei" from North Island, New Zealand went extinct in the late 19th century.

Ecology

After they were released on Kapiti Island, they were also moved to Red Mercury Island, Hen Island, Tiritiri Matangi Island, and Long Island in the Queen Charlotte Sound. In 2000, about 20 Little Spotted Kiwis were released in to Karori Wildlife Sanctuary. This was the first time since about 1900 that Little Spotted Kiwis could be found on North or South Island. Studies on Kapiti Island show that they prefer flax, seral and older forest. Lower numbers in rough grassland and scrub show that they aren't as fond or need more space in these areas.

The little spotted kiwi tends to eat grubs and other small insects that like to burrow far into the ground, and also will eat certain types of fruit. Hence the sharp talons and long beak, it digs into the ground with its talons then shoves its long beak down the soft ground. Since they can't fly to get to insects or food on trees and their eyesight is very poor they depend on a keen sense of smell, long beak and talons.

The largest egg in comparison with the size of the bird is laid by the Little Spotted Kiwi. Its egg accounts for 26 percent of its own weight. The equivalent of a woman giving birth to a six year old child.

tatus and conservation

The little spotted Kiwi was first described in 1847 by John Gould from a specimen obtained by F. Strang. The locality is not recorded but probably it came from Nelson or Marlborough.

In 1873, Henry Potts published an account of its habits and about this time specimens were collected in South Westland and sent to England. At that time the species was common on the western side of the South Island and in Marlborough.

Then a regular trade in skins sprang up and large numbers were collected for European museums. Further, with the advance of European settlement, birds were killed by prospectors and others for food and their attendant dogs and cats took their toll on this, the smallest of the Kiwis.

As the smallest species of kiwi, the Little Spotted Kiwi would be an ideal meal for main kiwi predators like cats, dogs, and stoats, however the Little Spotted Kiwi lives on several off-shore islands (mainly Kapiti Island). The Little Spotted Kiwi's conservation status is listed as 'Range Restricted' (by 'Save The Kiwi'), with a growing population. Formerly classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN [BLI (2004)] , it was suspected to be more numerous than generally assumed. Following the evaluation of its population size, this was found to be correct, and it is consequently downlisted to Near Threatened status in 2008 as it is not a particularly rare bird but its small range puts it at risk [BLI (2008)] .

Footnotes

References

*|year=2004|id=1937|title=Apteryx owenii|downloaded=2 January 2007
* (2008): [http://www.birdlife.org/action/science/species/global_species_programme/whats_new.html [2008 IUCN Redlist status changes] . Retrieved 2008-MAY-23.

External links

* [http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=9&m=0 BirdLife Species Factsheet.]
* [http://www.savethekiwi.org.nz/ Save The Kiwi] (formerly Kiwi Recovery)