Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
ID tip
Great spotted kiwis are among the largest of the kiwis; the male is 45 cm (18 in) tall, while the female is 50 cm (20 in) tall. Bill length ranges from 9 to 12 cm (3.5–4.7 in), while weight ranges between 1.2 and 2.6 kg (2.6 and 5.7 lb) for males and 1.5 and 3.3 kg (3.3 and 7.3 lb) for females. The body is pear-shaped, while the head and neck is small with a long slender ivory bill. The great spotted kiwi, along with the other kiwi species, is the only bird with nostrils at the end of its bill. The eyes are small and do not see well, as it relies mostly on its sense of smell.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Great Spotted Kiwi
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 8 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Great Spotted Kiwi
The map shades 2 countries with regular records, and 6 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia, United States, Austria, Germany, Iceland, South Korea.
About the Great Spotted Kiwi
The great spotted kiwi, great grey kiwi or roroa is a species of kiwi endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. The great spotted kiwi, as a member of the ratites, is flightless. It is the largest of the kiwi. The rugged topography and harsh climate of the high altitude alpine part of its habitat render it inhospitable to a number of introduced mammalian predators, which include dogs, ferrets, cats, and stoats. Because of this, populations of this species have been less seriously affected by the predations of these invasive species compared to other kiwi. Nonetheless, there has been a 43% decline in population in the past 45 years due to these predators and habitat destruction.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Okarito KiwiApteryx rowiThis species is a medium-sized kiwi measuring around 55 cm (22 in) in length.
Little Spotted KiwiApteryx oweniiThe little spotted kiwi has a length of 35 to 45 cm (14–18 in) and the weight of the male is 0.88 to 1.36 kg (1 lb 15 oz – 3 lb 0 oz) and the female weighs 1 to 1.95 kg (2+1⁄4–4+1⁄4 lb), making it the smallest species of kiwi.
Southern Brown KiwiApteryx australisIt has no preen gland, and its feathers have no aftershafts and no barbules.
Learn the Great Spotted Kiwi in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.