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The Ōkārito kiwi, aka rowi or Ōkārito brown kiwi, was only recently discovered in 2003. They are part of the brown kiwi species complex. These birds can only be found in the small western portion of New Zealand’s Ōkārito forest, on the south island. They face the threats of habitat […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The weka, aka Māori hen or woodhen, is a omnivorous, flightless species of bird from the rail family. They hail from mainland New Zealand as well as the north island. Even though 4 subspecies are recognized, only 2 are supported by genetic evidence. They face the threats of habitat clearance […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The little spotted kiwi, aka little grey kiwi or kiwi pukupuku, is the smallest species of kiwi. This flightless bird hails only from a few restricted small offshore islands and mainland New Zealand reserves and is protected by pest-exclusion fences. These birds face the threat of the only remaining potential […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Snares penguin, aka Snares crested penguin, Snares Islands penguin, or Pokotiwha (Māori), hails from the small island chains of New Zealand. These penguins face the threats of commercial fisheries, primarily squid fisheries, that these critters have to compete with for food. Pollution, mainly from oil spills, is another challenge […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Fiordland penguin, aka Fiordland crested penguin, tawaki, pokotiwha, or New Zealand crested penguin, hails from New Zealand. They are also sometimes found in southern Australia. They are threatened by invasive species, in the form of stoats, habitat division, at the hands of roads and railroads, that can divide their […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The great spotted kiwi, aka great grey kiwi or roroa, is the largest species of kiwi and hails from the South Island of New Zealand. Kiwis are flightless birds. These birds face the threat of invasive species in the form of cats, dogs, feral pigs, and stoats. As a result, […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The chubut steamer duck, aka white-headed flightless steamer duck, Falkland steamer duck, or white-headed steamer duck, is a flightless duck that hails from Argentina. These ducks face the threats of habitat loss and destruction at the hands of mining and oil drilling; hunting; trapping; overfishing; recreational activities, that interrupt their […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The north island brown kiwi, aka northern brown kiwi, can be found in the north island of New Zealand. These flightless birds are a unique and fascinating species. They prefer thick, sub-tropical and temperate forests. However, they can also be found among farmlands, pine plantations, and scrublands. These birds face […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The greater rhea, aka American rhea, common rhea, Ema, grey rhea, or ñandú, is the largest flightless bird in the Americas. They can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Also, there is a population in northern Germany. Unfortunately, they face the threats of habitat loss at the […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The Okinawa rail, aka Yanbaru rail, Yanbaru kuina, or agachi kumira, is a nearly flightless bird that hails only from Yanbaru, the northern part of Okinawa Island in the Ryukyu Islands of southern Japan. They prefer evergreen broad-leaved forests but they also dwell in marshes, grasslands, and cultivated lands near […]

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