Facts about rowi

Rowi chick on Motuara Island

Rowi (Okarito brown kiwi), our rarest kiwi, is critically endangered with approximately 350 in existence. In 1994 they were found to be an entirely new spcies (one of five kiwi species) and given the name rowi.

Distribution

Presently confined to South Okarito Forest and its proximity, rowi were once distributed over much of the lower North Island and upper South Island. In 2000, South Okarito Forest was designated one of New Zealand’s five special kiwi sanctuaries and funding for the management of recovery of rowi was provided through the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.

Appearance

Rowi vary from other types of kiwi in a range of ways. They are quite greyish in colour and often have patches of white on their faces. They also feel soft to touch, whereas other kiwi can feel coarse.

Behaviour

Rowi breed between June and February and usually lay one egg per year. Both the male and the female rowi take it in turns to look after the egg, while in most other kiwi species only the male does this. Most pairs remain together for their entire lives and birds form close family bonds. These social bonds have also been observed in young birds after removal from their parents. Chicks on to Motuara Isalnd will sometimes stay together after they have been returned to South Okarito Forest.

Lifespan

Rowi have a much higher adult survival rate than North Island kiwi. Some rowi may live up to 100 years - twice as long North Island species.