What Do Kiwi Birds Eat?
Kiwis are omnivorous birds, which means that they feed on both plants and animals. Since kiwis live in diverse habitats, their diets are extremely varied. Some feed primarily on nuts, seeds and leaves, while others eat mostly invertebrate animals such as worms. They have also been known to eat frogs, small fish, eels and even crayfish out of ponds.
Kiwis that eat enough moist foods, such as earthworms and berries, get all the water they need from these foods and do not need to drink. When kiwis do drink water, they do so by scooping up water in their beaks and then tipping their heads back to flush the water down their throats.
Kiwi birds are native to Australia and New Zealand. There are five different species of kiwi birds: the brown kiwi, rowi, tokoeka, great spotted kiwi and little spotted kiwi. All kiwi species are endangered, but the rowi and tokoeka are the closest to extinction. Among the many threats to kiwis are dogs and cats, which often kill the birds, and habitat destruction by humans.
Kiwi birds can live for as long as 50 years. They mostly dwell in forests, and they mate for life. Kiwis are nocturnal birds, which means that they are active during the night and sleep for most of the day.
