North Island Brown Kiwi
Apteryx mantelli
VUVulnerable Endemic to New Zealand
- Family
- Kiwis (Apterygidae)
- Order
- Apterygiformes
Overview
The North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) is a nocturnal flightless bird and species of kiwi that is widespread in the northern two-thirds of the North Island of New Zealand and, with about 35,000 remaining, it is the most common kiwi species. The eggs laid by the North Island brown kiwi are among the largest eggs relative to its body size.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Diet: Invertebrates found by smell.
How to identify it
- Flightless, nocturnal, shaggy brown bird
- Long bill with nostrils at the tip
- Heard more often than seen
Voice
Shrill male whistles at night.
Where to see it
- Guided night walks, Trounson Kauri Park
Range and habitat
North Island (New Zealand).
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: North Island brown kiwi
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.
