Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii)

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Image of a Little spotted kiwi
Birds Kiwi

Introduction

The little spotted kiwi, also known as kiwi pukupuku, is a small, flightless bird endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand. Its accepted scientific name is Apteryx owenii. It is the smallest of the five recognised kiwi species and is mainly nocturnal, so it is more often heard than seen. Once widespread on both main islands, it now survives mostly in predator-free sanctuaries and offshore island populations, together with a recently confirmed remnant population in South Westland.

Physical Description

The little spotted kiwi is about 30 cm long. Adult males weigh approximately 1.15 kg and females about 1.35 kg, although size varies among individuals and populations. Females are therefore slightly larger than males, as is typical of kiwi.

Its plumage is pale brownish-grey, with fine mottling or horizontal pale banding. It has a long, pale bill, short pale legs, strong claws, tiny vestigial wings and no external tail. Like other kiwi, it has nostrils near the tip of the bill, which assist in locating prey in leaf litter and soil. Sensitive whisker-like feathers around the bill also help it detect objects at close range.

Chicks are fully feathered and active soon after hatching. They may leave the nest to feed within their first week, but young birds remain vulnerable to introduced predators until they become large enough to defend themselves more effectively.

Range and Habitat

The little spotted kiwi is endemic to New Zealand. It formerly occupied forest and scrub on both the North and South Islands, but disappeared from much of its range after habitat modification and predation by introduced mammals. By the time of European settlement, it had virtually disappeared from the North Island, and the remaining South Island populations later declined severely.

Most surviving birds are now found on Kapiti Island and other protected sites, including Tiritiri Matangi, Motuihe, Red Mercury, Long Island in the Marlborough Sounds, Chalky Island, Anchor Island and Zealandia in Wellington. Translocations from Kapiti Island have established populations at several predator-free offshore islands and fenced mainland sanctuaries.

In 2025, the Department of Conservation confirmed a remnant mainland population in South Westland after genetic testing. The full size and distribution of this population are still being investigated. The species occupies temperate forest, forest margins and scrub, from near sea level to at least about 1,000 metres in suitable areas.

Behaviour and Diet

Little spotted kiwi are nocturnal. During the day, they shelter in short burrows, rock crevices, hollow logs or dense vegetation. They usually emerge shortly after nightfall and forage by walking slowly while tapping the ground and probing leaf litter, rotten wood and loose soil with the bill.

Their diet consists mainly of small invertebrates, especially earthworms, beetle larvae, cicada larvae, fly and moth larvae, spiders and adult beetles. They also take some fallen fruit and leaves. Although kiwi can detect prey through smell and touch, little spotted kiwi generally probe only shallowly rather than plunging the bill deeply into the ground.

Pairs are usually monogamous and defend territories. Birds call during the night to advertise territories and maintain contact with their partners, and pairs may duet. The male produces a repeated, high-pitched ascending whistle, while the female gives a slower, lower-pitched and more tremulous call.

Breeding occurs mainly from July to January. The nest may be in a short burrow, hollow log or beneath dense vegetation. The usual clutch contains one or two large white eggs, and incubation is carried out by the male alone for approximately 65 to 75 days. Chicks begin to leave the nest after about four to seven days, but may return to shelter and remain associated with the male for several weeks.

Identification Tips

  • Look for a small, pale kiwi with finely mottled or horizontally banded brownish-grey plumage.
  • The long, pale bill and short pale legs are distinctive, as are the tiny wings and lack of an external tail.
  • The species is most likely to be detected by its nocturnal calls rather than seen in daylight.
  • Males give a higher-pitched ascending whistle. Females give a lower, slower and more warbling call.
  • Juvenile great spotted kiwi can resemble little spotted kiwi. Great spotted kiwi generally have darker plumage and dark legs and toes, and are larger when fully grown.
  • Any apparent sighting should be treated cautiously because kiwi species can be difficult to distinguish in poor light. Location, size, plumage, leg colour and the recorded call are all useful identification clues.

Conservation Status

The little spotted kiwi is globally assessed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. In New Zealand, the Department of Conservation classifies it as Nationally Increasing. DOC lists an estimated population of about 2,100 birds, although this figure is subject to revision as the newly confirmed South Westland population is surveyed.

The principal historical causes of decline were habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals, including stoats, dogs and cats. Stoats remain a serious threat, particularly to chicks and other small birds. Maintaining predator-free islands, fenced mainland sanctuaries and effective biosecurity is therefore essential.

Conservation has included legal protection, intensive pest control, monitoring and translocations. Five little spotted kiwi transferred to Kapiti Island in the early twentieth century became the foundation of most surviving populations. Translocations from Kapiti and other protected populations have since established birds at additional sites. The species has very low genetic diversity because modern populations descend from a small number of founders, so genetic management and careful planning of future translocations remain important.

In the South Westland population, DOC has used close monitoring and, in some cases, temporary protection and captive care for chicks and eggs. These measures are intended to improve survival while the population’s size, breeding success and long-term conservation requirements are assessed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the little spotted kiwi live?

Most little spotted kiwi live on predator-free offshore islands and in fenced mainland sanctuaries in New Zealand. A small remnant mainland population was confirmed in South Westland in 2025.

Is the little spotted kiwi the smallest kiwi species?

Yes. It is the smallest of the five recognised kiwi species, measuring about 30 cm long and weighing roughly 1.15 kg in males and 1.35 kg in females.

What does the little spotted kiwi eat?

It eats mainly earthworms and other small invertebrates, including beetle larvae, fly and moth larvae, cicadas, spiders and adult beetles. Fallen fruit and leaves are also eaten occasionally.

Can little spotted kiwi fly?

No. Little spotted kiwi are flightless and have only tiny vestigial wings. They move by walking or running on the forest floor.

What does a little spotted kiwi call sound like?

The male gives a repeated, high-pitched ascending whistle. The female’s call is lower, slower and more warbling. Pairs may call together at night to maintain contact and defend their territory.

Why is the little spotted kiwi threatened?

Introduced predators, especially stoats, dogs and cats, can kill kiwi of all ages, with chicks particularly vulnerable. The species also has very low genetic diversity because most current populations descend from a small founder group.

References

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