The Kiwi Bird

By Lucy 

I am learning to inform my audience by using an information report

Do you know what the national animal of New Zealand is? Yes, it is the kiwi bird. Kiwis are little flightless birds that are native to New Zealand. Kiwis have wings and were meant to fly, however with their little wings they aren’t able to fly or even lift their bodies. The kiwi is about the size of a chicken . It can grow up to 50 to 60 centimeters long. There are five different species of kiwis the North Island Brown Kiwi, Southern Brown Kiwi, Little Spotted Kiwi, Great Spotted Kiwi and the Okarito Kiwi. Did you know that there used to be 12 Million kiwis in New Zealand but now there are less than 100,000. This is because predators sadly keep killing them.

PREDATORS:

The kiwi bird has many predators like dogs, cats, rats, ferrets and weasels. These animals hunt the kiwis and eat the kiwi eggs. But not only is it animals that are killing the kiwis it’s also humans!.Humans impact on the environment that in turns impacts on the kiwi and their survival. It’s very easy for predators to eat them because they can’t fly. The good news is there are people that are working to build kiwi shelters so they can be safe from predators and have a place to hide and live.
HABITAT:

Kiwis are found throughout New Zealand. In rough farmland, exotic plantation, sand dunes, snowy tussocks and scrub. Kiwis can live in dry places like Kapiti Island. They have created kiwi shelters for them to be safe from predators, and make sure they survive. Other things are included in the kiwi shelters like food and water.

DIET:

Kiwis have a pretty different diet to us humans. But because kiwis live in diverse habitats, from mountain slopes to exotic pine forests. It is difficult to define a typical kiwi diet. Kiwis are omnivores so they eat fungi and frogs. They also eat freshwater crayfish and koura. All of the kiwis eat berries, leaves and seeds. Kiwis get most of their water from their food. Juicy earthworms are 85% water. But because there nocturnal they don’t get to hot so the don’t need much fresh water.

The kiwi bird will become extinct if we keep impacting on where they live, allowing predators to stalk them and eventually will slowly die out of New Zealand. Kiwis are amazing animals and we need to keep them alive. We can keep the kiwi bird alive for longer by making sure they have the right habitat, away from predators and having the right diet. Kiwi are one of New Zealand's icon so we MUST keep them safe.