It can’t fly; has nostrils at the end of its long beak; cat-like whiskers;
the body temperature
of a mammal; sharp claws and strong legs to defend itself; lays an egg six times
larger than
that of a chicken; is ground-dwelling; lives in a burrow; can swim; and is
nocturnal. The kiwi is one of the avian world’s most unusual creatures.
Most New Zealanders have never seen a kiwi in the wild. Yet, this endangered bird is a nation icon, proudly displayed emblem and the nickname by which New Zealanders are known around the world.
About the Author
Matt Elliott – among a number of titles, Matt is the author of the
bestselling biography of Billy T. James, Billy T: The Life and Times of Billy
T James.