Little Spotted Kiwi
Apteryx owenii
The Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii) is a rare kiwi found only in New Zealand, weighing about 1.2 kg. The little spotted kiwi, also known as little grey kiwi or kiwi pukupuku, is a small flightless bird in the kiwi family, Apterygidae.
About the Little Spotted Kiwi
The little spotted kiwi, also known as little grey kiwi or kiwi pukupuku, is a small flightless bird in the kiwi family, Apterygidae. It is the smallest of the five kiwi species, at about 0.9 to 1.9 kg, about the size of a bantam. It is endemic to New Zealand, and in pre-European times occurred in both main islands, but is now mainly restricted to a number of small offshore islands and mainland reserves protected by pest-exclusion fences.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The 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. Their feathers are pale-mottled grey, with fine white mottling, and are shaggy looking. They lack aftershafts and barbules. They have large vibrissae feathers around the gape. They lack a tail, but have a small pygostyle. Their bill is ivory-coloured and long and their legs are pale. Albinism in this species has been recorded.
Where it lives
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, July, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in November. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Little Spotted Kiwi?
- The 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. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Little Spotted Kiwi?
- The Little Spotted Kiwi is a large sized bird weighing about 1.2 kg.
- Where can you see a Little Spotted Kiwi?
- The Little Spotted Kiwi is endemic to New Zealand, which is the only country where it occurs.
- What birds look similar to a Little Spotted Kiwi?
- The Little Spotted Kiwi is most easily confused with the Southern Brown Kiwi, the North Island Brown Kiwi and the Okarito Kiwi.
- Is the Little Spotted Kiwi endangered?
- The Little Spotted Kiwi is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Little Spotted Kiwi for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery 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.