Meet the other kiwis Rowi may be rarest but it’s not alone

There are currently five formally described species of kiwi: three brown (rowi, southern brown and north island brown) and two spotted (great spotted and little spotted). All are similar physiologically but diffffffer in size, coloration and location.

1 NORTH ISLAND BROWN APTERYX MANTELLI

Key characteristics: Medium-sized kiwi (40cm). Dark greyish-brown feathers streaked lengthways with reddish-brown. Differs from other kiwi taxa in brown rather than grey, rufous or dark brown plumage, stiff rather than soft feather tips. Range: isolated and fragmented populations on the North Island and some adjacent islands of New Zealand. Status: Vulnerable Total population: 26,600 (2015) Population trend: stable

2 LITTLE SPOTTED APTERYX OWENII

Key characteristics: Smallest kiwi (30cm), brownish-grey with fine, white horizontal mottling. Pale legs and long ivory bill. Range: eight offshore islands to which it has been introduced, and two mainland sites where it has been reintroduced. Stronghold is Kapiti Island. Status: Near Threatened Total population: 1,700 (2013) Population trend: increasing

3 SOUTHERN BROWN APTERYX AUSTRALIS

Key characteristics: Dark greyish-brown (Fiordland population), rufous-brown (Haast), dark brown (Stewart) feathers streaked lengthways with reddish-brown. Range: Fiordland and Stewart Island; isolated population near Haast. Status: Vulnerable Total population: 21,350 (2013) Population trend: decreasing

4 GREAT SPOTTED APTERYX HAASTII

Key characteristics: largest kiwi (45cm); light greyish-brown feathers with horizontal white mottling and a long ivory bill. Range: north-western Nelson to Buller River, Paparoa Range, and Hurunui River to Arthur’s Pass. Status: Vulnerable Total population: 15,000 (2016) Population trend: decreasing