Flightless birds are always of particular interest. Under what circumstances did they lose the ability to fly and what did they get in return? In the case of ostriches or penguins, the answer is obvious - the former run fast, the latter swim well. What about kiwi? What can these small New Zealand birds boast about?
NOT FRUIT AT ALL
Let's clarify the question right away - this fruit was named after a bird, and not vice versa. The kiwi plant was introduced to New Zealand from China only at the beginning of the 20th century, while birds inhabited it for millions of years. So what is kiwi fruit? A pear-shaped body topped with a head with a very long narrow beak, covered with gray hair rather than feathers, two four-fingered legs, a complete absence of a tail, and inconspicuous wings. A standard kiwi does not exceed chicken in size and weight, but it is absolutely impossible to confuse it with someone else.
Another thing is that you will only be able to meet him in the zoo, even if you wander through the wilds of New Zealand for weeks. Kiwis are not just nocturnal animals, but also true masters of stealth. They settle on plots ranging from 2 to 100 hectares, constantly digging out new shelters on their territory. Usually these are shallow burrows, although well camouflaged, but large gray kiwis create real mazes with many exits. During the day, the kiwi will leave the hole only in case of an immediate threat to life, and at night it is almost impossible to find an inconspicuous gray-brown bird. For humans, at least, predators do this without difficulty. Kiwi feathers emit a strong mushroom-like odor, which is used by dogs, cats and weasels brought to New Zealand to track them down. The paradox - because of the excellent ability to hide, kiwi nearly died out, as scientists could not assess the disastrous status of their population. Fortunately, at the end of the 20th century, they managed to do this, and since then the situation has begun to improve.
WINGS SIDE
Promotional video:
From a romantic point of view, it may seem that flight is the best thing that Mother Nature has "invented", and it is completely incomprehensible why it should be abandoned. In fact, in order for an animal to normally stay in the air, it needs to make many sacrifices. The body should be light, which most often leads to fragile hollow bones, feathers of a certain shape, a complex digestive system … As a result, once on an isolated area of land without natural predators, birds prefer to get rid of all the inconveniences associated with airspace as soon as possible and with pleasure run on foot. Everything is going well until the moment when predators do not fall on the same piece of land. And if the dodos managed to "evolve" in the opposite direction to a complete inability to defend themselves, the kiwis completely retained their fighting spirit. At night, males aggressively defend their territory, wielding their beak and razor-sharp claws. If it were not for the completely defenseless kiwi cubs, which usually become victims of predators, perhaps they would not have had any problems at all.
Initially, scientists linked the origin of the kiwi with African ostriches, South American rheas and the most that neither is New Zealand moa, which became extinct only a few centuries ago. But then it became clear that the ancestors of the kiwi arrived on the islands a very long time ago (from 30 to 60 million years ago), but still after the moa lost their ability to fly. But they are connected by family ties with emus and cassowaries. From the latter, perhaps, small birds borrowed their trademark belligerence.
LIVING FOREST PROTECTORS
The invisibility of kiwis during the day also played a role in their entry into the mythology of the New Zealand aborigines - the Maori. More precisely, the kiwis almost slipped past her, despite the history of tens of millions of years. Nevertheless, the Maori nevertheless discovered the secretive birds and decided that they were under the special protection of the god of the forests, Tane-mahut. Since, according to a number of legends, it was Tane who once blinded the first person from clay and his own blood, the attitude towards the sacred birds was more than respectful. They were hunted for meat and feathers, but in moderation - unlike the same moa, which the Maori once ate to the last instance. Some of the traditional Maori feather outfits - kahu huruhuru - were composed of kiwi feathers and were incredibly prized.
There is a well-known legend that tells how exactly the kiwi lost their wings. Tane-mahuta, once walking through the forest, noticed that the trees were sick - their roots were gnawed by harmful insects, and no one could stop it. Then God turned to the birds for help - someone had to leave the crowns of trees and live at the foot of the forest to protect him. Tui refused - he was afraid of the dark, pukeko (the Sultan's chicken) refused - he didn't want to get his feet wet, pipifarauroa (bronze cuckoo) refused - he wanted to stay with his family. And only the brave kiwi agreed to lose its wings and beautiful plumage for the sake of its native forest. Tane-mahuta punished the first three birds for cowardice, and the kiwi promised to become the most beloved bird among all people. Result? Today, kiwi hunting is universally prohibited, and Maori have turned from hunters into guards. It is the kiwi that has become a living national symbol of New Zealand.
BIRDS THAT SURVIVED
Before lowering the kiwi to the ground, Tanya warned him that he would have to properly adapt to local conditions. And the kiwi clearly heeded the words of the divine patron - few flightless birds can match him in search of prey. Kiwi's eyesight is poor - at dusk it is usually not required, but hearing and smell are at the highest level. While most birds have their nostrils at the base of the beak, kiwi have them at the very tip. Can you imagine what would happen if you stick your nose in the ground and try to smell something? Most likely, nothing will work, except for the soil clogged in the nose. But the kiwi will succeed, and how. Moreover, it is the main way of hunting the incredible New Zealand bird. Special valves in the nostrils prevent soil particles from entering,and the smell of insects and worms spreads underground just as well as through the air. Having sensed the prey, the kiwi sets in motion its powerful paws to dig the required distance, and then pulls out the victim with one precise jab of its beak. With such skills, you don't have to worry about the health of the forest - flightless birds do an excellent job with pests. Another unique feature of the kiwi is the incredibly large eggs that take up a quarter of the female's size. She even stops eating 2-3 days before laying the egg, as it puts pressure on the internal organs. Maybe that is why the male usually incubates the egg itself - as compensation for the beloved's suffering. With such skills, you don't have to worry about the health of the forest - flightless birds do an excellent job with pests. Another unique feature of the kiwi is the incredibly large eggs that take up a quarter of the female's size. She even stops eating 2-3 days before laying the egg, as it puts pressure on the internal organs. Maybe that is why the male usually incubates the egg itself - as compensation for the beloved's suffering. With such skills, you don't have to worry about the health of the forest - flightless birds do an excellent job with pests. Another unique feature of the kiwi is the incredibly large eggs that take up a quarter of the female's size. She even stops eating 2-3 days before laying the egg, as it puts pressure on the internal organs. Maybe that is why the male usually incubates the egg itself - as compensation for the beloved's suffering.
The Kiwis survived - partly through natural courage, partly through the timely intervention of people correcting their own mistake. Birds feel good in zoos, special farms, and in the wild, their number has slightly increased in recent years. Rounded nimble kiwis seem to have been created for the love of mankind, invariably evoking emotion and delight among both locals and tourists. What can I say? Tane-mahuta keeps his word tightly.
Sergey Evtushenko