How to identify the Kiwi

To correctly identify the Kiwi (Apteryx spp.), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

35-65 cm (14-26 in)

Wingspan

Vestigial wings, not measurable as a functional wingspan (approx. 5 cm/2 in)

Weight

1.3-3.3 kg (2.9-7.3 lbs), with females typically larger than males

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Dense, shaggy, hair-like feathers, typically brown, grey-brown, or reddish-brown, often streaked or mottled, providing excellent camouflage in forest undergrowth. They lack a tail.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Long, slender, flexible, and slightly downcurved bill, ranging from 9-20 cm (3.5-8 in) depending on the species. Unique among birds, their nostrils are located at the very tip of the bill, providing an exceptional sense of smell.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Small, dark eyes, adapted for nocturnal vision but with poor daytime acuity.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Strong, stout, and scaly legs, typically greyish-brown to dark brown, with four toes and sharp claws.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   Flightless, nocturnal, long sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) around the base of the bill, nostrils at the tip of the bill, shaggy plumage, and powerful legs for running and digging.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble smaller versions of adults, with similar plumage and bill characteristics. They grow rapidly.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent year-round.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Females are generally larger and heavier than males, and their bills are often longer. Otherwise, plumage is similar.

Key field marks

• Flightlessness and Nocturnal Activity. Kiwis are unique among New Zealand's native birds for being flightless and primarily active at night. If you encounter a bird-like creature foraging in the dark, it's likely a kiwi.
• Long Bill with Nostrils at Tip. Their most distinctive feature is their exceptionally long, slender bill with nostrils located at the very end, used for sniffing out prey. No other bird has this characteristic.
• Shaggy, Hair-like Plumage. Unlike most birds with distinct feathers, kiwis have a coarse, shaggy, hair-like plumage that provides excellent camouflage in the forest undergrowth.
• Strong Legs and Lack of Tail. They possess powerful, muscular legs for running and digging, and conspicuously lack a visible tail, giving them a distinctive rounded rear profile.
• Vocalizations. Listen for the distinctive, shrill, ascending whistle of the male or the harsher 'kwe-kwe' call of the female, especially at night. These calls are unmistakable.

Explore the Kiwi