Kiwi are flightless birds from New Zealand. The kiwi is also a national symbol of New Zealand. At around the size of a chicken, kiwi are by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to their body size. There are five recognised species.
The largest species is the Great Spotted Kiwi, which is about 45cm high and weighs about 3.3 kg, males about 2.4 kg. It has grey-brown plumage with lighter spots. The female lays just one egg and both parents incubate. Population is over 20,000.
The very small Little Spotted Kiwi, is unable to fight by pigs, stoats and cats, which have led to its extinction on the mainland. About 1350 remain on Kapiti Island. They are about 25cm high and the female weighs 1.3 kg. She lays one egg which is incubated by the male.
Māori (the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand) traditionally believe that kiwi are under the protection of Tane Mahuta, god of the forest. Kiwi feathers are particularly important to Māori, as they are used for kahu-kiwi – ceremonial cloaks.
The name Kiwi ( pronounced [kiːwiː], "kee-wee"), is from the Māori language.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiwis
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