Unable to fly, Kiwi instead probes about the forest floor looking for tasty bugs. The sensitive hairs around her bill help Her to sense the underground movements of Worms. Also, at the end of her curved beak are nostrils for which She use to smell with (unusual for Birds).
This plump little Bird has many features similar to Mammals. Like Badger, She lives in a series of underground burrows that She has dug. In addition, Her bristly feathers resemble soft mammal fur. Furthermore unlike other Birds, Kiwi has two working ovaries.
The Maori of New Zealand called Kiwi “Te manu huna a Tane”, (the Hidden Bird of Tane Mahuta, the God of the Forest). Making high ceremonial robes (kahu kiwi) out of her feathers, the Maori hold Kiwi in high regard,. They tell of how She surrendered her fine feathers for the greater good. To save the trees, Kiwi chose to live on the forest floor hunting for harmful Insects. Today the Maori are guardians (kaitiaki) of the Kiwi, helping to save Her from extinction.
Many people think of Kiwi as a shy retiring Bird. However, people of New Zealand know different, and can attest to her bad temper. This feisty Bird uses her sharp claws and strong legs to draw blood. Sometimes, this can be deadly since Kiwi’s heavy legs are filled with marrow (much like Mammals).
In the 1880s, Kiwi became known outside New Zealand when She appeared on the regimental badges of New Zealand troops. During World War I, soldiers from New Zealand carved a giant Kiwi (the Bulford Kiwi) in the chalk hill above Sling Camp in England. Today, people from New Zealand are known as “Kiwis”.
Kiwi is an example of the “Contrary”, which some cultures consider to be sacred. Contraries challenge our notions of what is proper and true. The Maori understood Kiwi’s sacredness. A Bird who does not fly, Kiwi opens us to other ideas beyond our ordinary traditions. (But do not be so contrary that you hurt people as Kiwi can do with her sharp claws.)
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