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North Island Brown Kiwi
Conservation status
Endangered
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Struthioniformes Family: Apterygidae Genus: Apteryx Species: A. mantelli
Binomial name
Apteryx mantelli Bartlett, 1852

The North Island Brown Kiwi, Apteryx mantelli or Apteryx australis before 2000 (and still in some sources), is a species of kiwi that is widespread in the northern two-thirds of the North Island of New Zealand and, with about 25,000 remaining, is the most common kiwi. Females stand about 40 cm (16 inches) high and weigh about 2.9 kg, the males about 2.2 kg. The plumage is streaky red-brown and spiky. The female usually lays two eggs, which are incubated by the male.

Until 2000, the Brown Kiwi (then Apteryx australis) was thought to include the Rowi and the Tokoeka, in addition to the North Island Brown Kiwi. However using genetic codes from each of the above it was determined that the Tokoeka was a separate species, it took the Apteryx australis name , leaving the Brown Kiwi with its current Apteryx mantelli name. Soon after, in 2003, more genetic tests were done with the rowi and it was determined that it (the rowi) was a separate species (Apteryx Rowi). In 2004 an injured bird was found with streaked white feathers around the head and identified by Massey University. The white feathering is likely due to a rarely seen genetic variation sometimes described as a partial albino. Few documented cases exist with only a painting of one found in Otorohanga in the 18th century and a specimen in the Canterbury Museum. The injured bird recovered and was introduced into a breeding programme.

Brown Kiwis are found throughout the North Island, occurring near Northland, Coromandel, Eastern North Island, Aroha Island and Wanganui. The North Island Brown has demonstrated a remarkable resilience: it has adapted to live on scrub-like farm land, pine (an introduced tree) plantations, and their native forests.

• North Island Brown Kiwi is the only species of kiwi found outside of New Zealand (in zoos).

• BirdLife International (2004). Apteryx mantelli. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 18 March 2007. Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered

• ARKive - images and movies of the North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli)
• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• Save The Kiwi

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