New Zealand Wildlife

New Zealand had few animals it had plenty of birds - had being the operative word. For today seven different species of its native birds are on the endangered list. Worst, affected were the flightless birds like the kakapo and taktibe which were easy prey for the introduced competitors and predators. In fact, the takahe was considered extinct until a small colony of them was discovered in the wild country of the southern fiords in 1948.

The best known of New Zealand's birds is the kiwi which has become the symbol of New Zealanders. It's a small, tubby, flightless bird and, because it's nocturnal, is not easy to observe. Kiwis may have no wings, feathers that are more like hair than real feathers, short sight and a sleepy nature, but the All Blacks have nothing on them when it comes to strength of leg! For the kiwi has one thing in common with Australia's equally 'cute' national symbol, the koala — a shocking temper, which is usually manifested in giving whatever or whoever it is upset with a thumping big kick. Despite the fact that night time is when they are most active, they are still fairly lazy, sleeping for as man as 20 hours a day. The female is larger than the male and much fiercer. She lays an egg weighing up to half a kilo, huge in relation to her size, but having performed that mighty feat leaves the male to hatch it while she guards the burrow. When the young kiwi of its parents, not like a chick at all, and completely ignores its mother, associating only with its father.

Other bird life includes the tiny, owl- like, morepork and the raucous kea. The kea has a reputation for killing sheep which makes them unpopular with farmers. They're amusing, fearless, cheeky and inquisitive birds. Keep a close eye on your gear when they're around. They have incredibly strong beaks and will have a peck at anything, including pulling eyelets out of boots and ripping sleeping bags and tents. Another amusing bird is the ducklike weka which hangs around campsites and rushes over to steal things when you turn your back. New Zealand has no snakes and only one spider that is deadly to humans, the katipo.

 

 

 

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