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Kiwi are notable for laying eggs that are very large in relation to their body size. A kiwi egg may equal 15 to 20 percent of the body mass of a female kiwi. The smallest species of kiwi is the little spotted kiwi, at 0.9 to 1.9 kilograms (2.0–4.2 lb) and 35 to 45 centimetres (14–18 in). [18]
Comparison of a kiwi, ostrich, and Dinornis, each with its egg. Ratite birds are strictly flightless and their anatomy reflects specializations for terrestrial life. The term "ratite" is from the Latin word for raft, ratis, because they possess a flat breastbone, or sternum, shaped like a raft.
Kiwi eggs can weigh up to one-quarter the weight of the female. Usually, only one egg is laid per season. The kiwi lays one of the largest eggs in proportion to its size of any bird in the world, [34] [a] so even though the kiwi is about the size of a domestic chicken, it is able to lay eggs that are about six times the size of a chicken's egg ...
The largest ratite is the ostrich (Struthio camelus), from the plains of Africa and Arabia. A large male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 m (9.2 ft) and weigh over 156 kg (344 lb). [49] A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this weight have been verified. [2]
The largest (both heaviest and tallest) flightless bird, which is also the largest living bird in general, is the common ostrich (2.7 m, 156 kg). Many domesticated birds, such as the domestic chicken and domestic duck , have lost the ability to fly for extended periods, although their ancestral species, the red junglefowl and mallard ...
The kiwi genus, Apteryx, is endemic to New Zealand; 44% of the bird species native to New Zealand are endemic. [4] Kiwi are placed in the ratite family, which also includes the emu, ostrich, rhea, [7] and cassowary, as well as the extinct moa of New Zealand and elephant birds of Madagascar. All ratites are flightless. [8]
Great spotted kiwi: Apteryx haastii VU South Island, New Zealand Little spotted kiwi: Apteryx owenii LR/nt Multiple small islands in New Zealand Okarito kiwi: Apteryx rowi DD Okarito forest in New Zealand's South Island Southern brown kiwi: Apteryx australis VU A small population in the South Island and another on Stewart Island in New Zealand
The binomial name for the common ostrich, Struthio camelus, means camel sparrow in Greek, alluding to the animal's long neck. The ostrich is a flightless bird native to Africa. It is the largest living species of bird. It is distinctive in its appearance, with a long neck and legs and the ability to run at high speeds.