Haastkiwi
| Haastkiwi | ||||||||||||
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Haastkiwi ( Apteryx haastii ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Apteryx haastii | ||||||||||||
| Potts , 1872 |
The Haastkiwi or Great Fleckenkiwi ( Apteryx haastii ) is a nocturnal kiwi species, the original range of which has decreased significantly since the colonization of New Zealand by European settlers and which is only found in three small areas in the northwest of the South Island . It got its name after the New Zealand naturalist Julius von Haast , who came from Germany .
The IUCN classifies the Haastkiwi as endangered ( vulnerable ) and estimates the current population at 22,000 individuals.
features
Haastkiwis are 50 to 60 cm long. Females get bigger, their beak is longer. Male birds reach a weight of 1215 to 2610 g, their beak is nine to ten centimeters long. Females weigh 1530 to 3270 g, their beak reaches a length of 12.5 to 13.5 cm. Young birds reach the height of adult Haastkiwis around the age of 20 months. Apart from the difference in size, there is no pronounced sexual dimorphism .
Haastkiwis have piebald, chestnut-colored or gray plumage that is patterned with lighter bands and larger black spots. The legs can be darker, the claws are whitish in adult birds. Young birds usually have horn-colored claws with a black, longitudinal stripe.
It can only be confused with other kiwi species. In particular, the plumage of the dwarf kiwi is similar to that of the Haastkiwis. However, the dwarf kiwi is significantly smaller and has a slimmer beak. However, young birds of both species can hardly be distinguished when observing the fields.
Distribution area and habitat
The Haastkiwi is endemic to New Zealand and is restricted there to the South Island. Since the arrival of European settlers in New Zealand, the range has become smaller and has since been fragmented. There are only three populations left today that are isolated from one another. One extends from northwest Nelson to the Buller River , a second is in the Paparoa National Park region and a third is in the Hurunui District . Since 2004 a fourth population has been established in Nelson Lakes National Park.
Today's habitat are mountain areas that run parallel to the coast. They live here as resident birds in different habitats, including tussock grasslands, wetlands, scrub, stone beech and beech forests from the coast to heights of 1200 meters. The highest density of Haastkiwis can be found in moist beech forests with a dense undergrowth of mosses and lichens.
nutrition
Haastkiwis feed primarily on earthworms and beetle larvae , and in the summer months also on crickets and spiders . If they come near rivers and streams, crayfish are also caught. When searching for food, they dig their beak into the ground and feel the prey. During the winter they look for their food exclusively at night, during the summer they are also active at twilight in some regions.
Reproduction
Haastkiwis mostly enter into a monogamous couple relationship, which presumably lasts until one of the two partner birds dies. In the case of females who settle in the lowlands, it cannot be ruled out that they are polyandric . Their territory overlaps with the territories of two to three males. In general, Haastkiwis are territorial birds. The areas in subalpine regions have a size of 12 to 26 hectares. The territories are occupied all year round. Territorial males react aggressively to the sounds of other kiwis in their territory and run towards them. The head is held high, the beak points down and the feathers are fluffed up. Conflicts between males have not been observed so far, the males presumably kick one after the other if the intruder does not withdraw immediately. The discovery of a dead male kiwi is attributed to such a territorial dispute.
Haastkiwis breed from July to November. They mostly use burrows in the ground and usually only lay one, sometimes two eggs. The very large eggs are 120–130 mm × 69–85 mm in size. In contrast to other kiwi species, both parents breed. In most cases, the female breeds during the night. The hatching business starts immediately after the eggs are laid, the eggs are seldom left unguarded. The incubation period is unknown. The hatched young birds already resemble the adults, but have softer plumage.
Danger
The IUCN describes the Haastkiwi as endangered (vulnerable). In 1996 the population was estimated at 22,000 birds. The birds are threatened by human-introduced fox-cusus ( Trichosurus vulpecula ), dogs, cats, pigs and martens ( ermines and ferrets ) and also fall into traps that are set to combat fox-cusus.
literature
- Josep del Hoyo et al. a .: Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, 1992, ISBN 84-87334-10-5 .
- PJ Higgins (Ed.): Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds , Volume 1, Ratites to Ducks, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1990, ISBN 0195530683 .
- PA Gasson: Translocation of great spotted kiwi / roa (Apteryx haasti) to Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project. ( PDF ).
Web links
- ↑ a b BirdLife Factsheet on Haastkiwi , accessed on May 29, 2011
- ↑ a b Higgins, p. 86
- ↑ PA Gasson
- ↑ a b c d Higgins, p. 88
- ↑ Apteryx haastii in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2011. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed November 13, 2011th