Striped kiwi
We are delighted that Rainer Trude, tax consultant, Trude & Kollegen law firm, has taken on the sponsorship of the striped kiwi.
The striped kiwi(Apteryx australis) is the largest of the three species within the kiwi family (Apterygidae) with a body length of 50 cm to 65 cm. Like all kiwis, it is endemic to New Zealand and the surrounding islands, so it only occurs here and nowhere else in the world. As there are populations on both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, it has been suspected for some years that the striped kiwi should actually be categorised into two different species.
The plumage of the striped kiwi is grey to brown in colour and has a striped pattern. From a distance, it looks more like fur than feathers. Like the other kiwi species, it is flightless and nocturnal. Its colouring is therefore a perfect camouflage for its way of life on the forest floor. The wings and tail are completely underdeveloped and barely visible.
The habitat of the striped kiwi is tropical, subtropical and temperate forests as well as occasional grasslands and plantations. It is an omnivore that feeds mainly on invertebrates that it finds on the forest floor. It supplements its diet with a variety of plant material such as fruits, seeds and leaves. When foraging, the striped kiwi relies on its good sense of smell, which it uses to locate its prey in the ground and dead leaves. It can then use its long beak to pick out the prey.
The striped kiwi's breeding season is between June and February. It is strictly monogamous and territorial. It usually uses a natural cave or hollow as its nest. The clutch consists of one to three eggs, but usually only one egg is laid. The egg of the striped kiwi is four times larger than would be usual for other birds of its size. In relation to its body size, this makes it the largest bird's egg in the world. Accordingly, the eggs are incubated for 75 to 84 days, longer than any other bird on earth. Only the male striped kiwis are responsible for incubation. After hatching, the young are independent of their parents after a maximum of 20 days.
The population of the striped kiwi is currently categorised as endangered. The population is estimated at around 40,000 animals, but has been declining sharply for decades. The main reasons for this are the introduction of predatory mammals such as cats, dogs, ferrets and stoats by humans. In addition, its favoured habitat, the tropical to temperate forest, is increasingly being destroyed by deforestation. To counteract the feared extinction of the species, striped kiwis have been relocated to small surrounding islands, where they breed successfully.