The little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii), also known as little grey kiwi or kiwi pukupuku, is a small flightless bird in the kiwi family, Apterygidae. It is the smallest of the five kiwi species, at about 0.9 to 1.9 kg (2–4+1⁄4 lb), about the size of a bantam. It is endemic to New Zealand, and in pre-European times occurred in both main islands, but is now mainly restricted to a number of small offshore islands and mainland reserves protected by pest-exclusion fences. The little spotted kiwi was on the brink of extinction when a conservation effort took place 100 years ago. Five individuals were translocated from the South Island to Kapiti Island. Today, the Kapiti Island population has grown, with around 1200 birds. They were considered extinct on the mainland, with no sightings since 1978, until their rediscovery in the wild in 2025.
Taxonomy The little spotted kiwi is a ratite and belongs to the Apterygiformes order, and the Apterygidae family. The genus name Apteryx means 'without wings' and the species is named owenii after Sir Richard Owen. Only the nominate subspecies A. o. owenii survives. The little spotted kiwi was first described in 1847 by John Gould from a specimen obtained by Frederick Strange and sent to England. The locality is not recorded but it probably came from Nelson or Marlborough. In 1873, Henry Potts published an account of its habitats, and about this time specimens were collected in South Westland and sent to England. A specimen described as Apteryx occidentalis in 1893 is often considered a junior synonym of this species, but a study in 2002 indicated this may be a hybrid between Apteryx australis and Apteryx owenii. There is a subspecies called Apteryx owenii iredalei, from the North Island, but its status as a subspecies is not universally accepted as valid. More commonly known as the North Island little spotted kiwi, it is an extinct subspecies of the little spotted kiwi that was native to the North Island, New Zealand. It was described by Gregory Mathews in 1935. Most subsequent authors do not recognise it or any other subspecies of Apteryx owenii. The North Island little spotted kiwi went extinct sometime in the late 19th century for unknown reasons; most likely from introduced invasive species such as stoats, feral cats, and other related species, or from human activity in the region. Two specimens were collected in the 1880s, being the only known remnants left.
Description The little spotted kiwi has a length of 35 to 45 cm (14–18 in) and the weight of the male is 0.88 to 1.36 kg (1 lb 15 oz – 3 lb 0 oz) and the female weighs 1 to 1.95 kg (2+1⁄4–4+1⁄4 lb), making it the smallest species of kiwi. Their feathers are pale-mottled grey, with fine white mottling, and are shaggy looking. They lack aftershafts and barbules. They have large vibrissae feathers around the gape. They lack a tail, but have a small pygostyle. Their bill is ivory-coloured and long and their legs are pale. Albinism in this species has been recorded.
The little spotted kiwi had an obligate louse that parasitised on it, Rallicola pilgrimi. In an example of conservation-induced extinction, all lice were killed when the kiwi were translocated to Kapiti Island. This species is long-lived with a mean life expectancy of 45 years.
Distribution and habitat Studies on Kapiti Island show that they prefer flax, seral, and older forest habitats. Lower numbers are found in rough grassland and scrub, indicating that either they prefer other habitats or they simply need a larger territory to support themselves in these areas.
Behaviour Little spotted kiwis eat grubs and other small insects that are found underground, and occasionally eat berries. Earthworms, cockchafer beetle larvae, caterpillars, cranefly larvae, and spiders are their most common foods, with annelids making up the largest percentage of the bird's diet; fruit of the hinau tree is also commonly consumed. As they cannot fly and their eyesight is very poor, they depend on a keen sense of smell, long beak and talons for finding food. The birds use their sharp talons and long beak to dig into the ground and then probe its long beak through the softened ground. Little spotted kiwi are nocturnal, and will call occasionally each night to advertise its territory and maintain contact with partners; often pairs will duet. They are very territorial, and fight conspecifics with their sharp claws, resulting in many feathers on the ground.
Reproduction
They nest in an excavated burrow, dug by both birds and sometimes lined with plant material. Eggs are laid from July to January. The clutch size is one to two eggs (15% have 2), which are incubated by the male for 63–76 days. Chicks stay in the nest for 2–3 weeks after hatching and require feeding for 4 weeks. The eggs, like in all kiwis, are very large for body size; representing around 25% of the female's body weight, being 10.5–11.3 cm (4.1–4.4 in) in length and 6.8–7.6 cm (2.7–3.0 in), with an average mass of 301 grams.
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