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Kiwi


Kiwi
Photo Information
Copyright: Varina Taylor (nana) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 129 W: 1 N: 116] (908)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-12-30
Categories: Nocturnal
Exposure: f/4, 1/60 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-02-06 3:43
Viewed: 549
Points: 12
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Although primarily a bird of New Zealand’s native forests, kiwis also live in scrub and native grasslands. Because the kiwi is a semi-nocturnal, secretive bird, few New Zealanders have seen their national bird in the wild.

The kiwi is the sole survivor of an ancient order of birds including the now extinct moas. A flightless bird about the size of a domestic fowl, the kiwi has coarse, bristly, hair-like feathers. Females are larger than males.

Kiwis grow to about the size of a chicken and weigh between three and nine pounds. They have no tail and tiny two inch wings which for all practical purposes, are useless. Despite its awkward appearance, a kiwi can actually outrun a human and have managed to survive because of their alertness and their sharp, three-toed feet, which enable them to kick and slash an enemy.

The kiwi’s long slender bill has nostrils at the lower end. Using its excellent sense of smell and flexible bill, the kiwi feeds on worms, insects and grubs, supplemented by leaves, berries and seeds.

The main breeding period is from late winter to summer. Nests may be in hollow logs, under tree roots, in natural holes or in burrows excavated mainly by the male. Most clutches contain one or two eggs. Eggs are smooth, and coloured ivory or greenish-white. Kiwi eggs are proportionately larger compared to the size of the adult female than the eggs of any other bird. An egg may reach one-quarter of its mother’s weight. After the first egg is laid, the male takes over incubation and nest maintenance. Incubation takes about eleven weeks but if the female returns to lay another egg, the male has to sit on the clutch for a much longer time. Leaving the nest only occasionally, the male’s weight can decrease by up to one third.



During the First World War, New Zealanders carved a giant kiwi on the chalk hill above Sling Camp in England. In Flanders during the war, the name “Kiwi” for New Zealand soldiers came into general use. By the Second World War, the Kiwi was synonymous with New Zealand Servicemen overseas. During the war, the Kiwi Concert Party toured many battle areas. The Kiwi (New Zealand Army) Football Team which toured the British Isles, France and Germany in 1945-46 also enchanced the emblem’s popularity.

Today, New Zealanders overseas (and at home) are still invariably called “Kiwis”. The Kiwi is still closely associated with the Armed Forces. The New Zealand dollar is often referred to as the “The Kiwi” and the kiwi fruit is known as a “Kiwi” in some countries. Kiwis feature in the coat of arms, crests and badges of many New Zealand cities, clubs and organisations.
sbelkoski, Hendrika, milas, frank007, aysm has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Dawn Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1134 W: 100 N: 3364] (17538)
  • [2007-02-06 3:48]

From one Kiwi to another Kiwi... Hello...

No Ive never seen a Kiwi in the wild.. and as the note says not many New Zealanders have.. only in the dark.. in the Zoo..

Now Im wondering where this one was Nana ?

Thanks for showing "OUR" bird.. and the interesting notes..

Cheers
Dawn.

Howdy Kiwi
I think this Kiwi has been stuffed and mounted, the way it's standing on a block of wood. Am I right?
Nice shot, thanks for sharing.
Cheers Pete.

Hi Varina,

I thought: hé a real kiwi. I think everyone knows how they look and will think of New Zealand. Love that you could share this one with us.
Started like you, have to have pics from the grandchildren (only 2). Picking up tips on TL.

Ragards from the other side of the world,
Els

  • Great 
  • milas Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2743 W: 412 N: 2987] (32971)
  • [2007-02-06 10:39]

selam nana:
ooo verynice foto selamlar

Nice capture of this legendary bird.. I thought they were extinct...
Accurate comments, thanks for shearing.

FRANK

PS Send to treknature this rare shot.
I just begin in this similar site than TL. My new username is ffrank007.

  • Great 
  • aysm Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Note Writer [C: 86 W: 0 N: 41] (493)
  • [2007-02-07 21:17]

Hi nana

This's a great shot and I hope I could meet this chance while I'm in Melbourne.

Many thanks for sharing.

Best Regards,
AY

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