Okarito Brown Kiwi

Taxobox | name = Okarito Brown Kiwi


status = CR | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Struthioniformes
familia = Apterygidae
genus = "Apteryx"
species = "A. rowi"
binomial = "Apteryx rowi"
binomial_authority = Tennyson et al., 2003

The Okarito Brown Kiwi ("Apteryx rowi"), also known as the Rowi is a member of the kiwi family (Apterygidae), described as new to science in 2003. The species is part of the Brown Kiwi complex, and is morphologically very similar to other members of that complex. It is found in a restricted area of the Okarito forest on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, and has a population of about only 250 birds. Its conservation status has been set as "nationally critical". Conservation efforts such as "Operation Nest Egg" and the stoat control regime have been partially successful in restoring the Rowi population. However, the rowi is still in a fragile stage of existence. Predation, mainly from imported animals such as stoats, is still the biggest threat to the Rowi. The female will lay up to three eggs, each in a different nest. Both male and female incubate the eggs. The egg is so big, as it weighs 20% of the females weight.

References

* Tennyson, A. J. D., R. L. Palma, H. A. Robertson, T. H. Worthy and B. J. Gill (2003) A new species of kiwi (Aves, Apterygiformes) from Okarito, New Zealand. "Records of the Auckland Museum", 40: 55-64

*http://www.savethekiwi.org.nz/AboutTheBird/TheKiwiFamily/Rowi.htm