Which extinct bird is the kiwi's closest relative?

The elephant bird of Madagascar

Kiwi Bird Quiz: Nostrils on the Beak and Night Foraging

This kiwi bird quiz explores the shy, night-time bird that became New Zealand's national symbol. Play an interactive set of 10 questions on nostrils at the beak tip, tiny wings, hair-like feathers, giant eggs, fathers that incubate, five species, predators and a surprising relative.

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🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Country
Which country is the kiwi native to?
Nose
Where are a kiwi's nostrils?
Fly
Can kiwi fly?
Time
When are kiwi mostly active?
Feathers
What are kiwi feathers like?
Egg
How large is a kiwi egg compared with the female?
Dad
Who incubates the eggs in many kiwi species?
Species
How many kiwi species are recognized?
Threat
Which introduced predator is a major threat to chicks?
Relative
Which extinct bird is the kiwi's closest relative?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which country is the kiwi native to?
Answer: New Zealand
It is a national symbol.
Q2: Where are a kiwi's nostrils?
Answer: At the tip of its beak
No other bird has this.
Q3: Can kiwi fly?
Answer: No
Their wings are tiny.
Q4: When are kiwi mostly active?
Answer: At night
They are nocturnal.
Q5: What are kiwi feathers like?
Answer: Soft and hair-like
They have no tail feathers.
Q6: How large is a kiwi egg compared with the female?
Answer: About 20 percent of her weight
It is huge for her size.
Q7: Who incubates the eggs in many kiwi species?
Answer: The male
Brown kiwi fathers sit for weeks.
Q8: How many kiwi species are recognized?
Answer: Five
They include brown kiwi and rowi.
Q9: Which introduced predator is a major threat to chicks?
Answer: Stoats
Pest control helps kiwi survive.
Q10: Which extinct bird is the kiwi's closest relative?
Answer: The elephant bird of Madagascar
DNA studies revealed the link.

Kiwi Bird Quiz – Nostrils on the Beak and Night Foraging

The kiwi is a flightless bird found only in New Zealand. It forages at night, probing the soil with a long beak that has nostrils at its tip, letting it smell worms and insects underground.

Kiwi have tiny wings, soft hair-like feathers and strong legs. Females lay an egg that can weigh about a fifth of their body weight, and in many species the male incubates it.

Five species are recognized, and introduced predators such as stoats threaten their chicks. DNA studies show their closest relative was the extinct elephant bird of Madagascar, and New Zealanders proudly call themselves Kiwis.

What This Quiz Teaches

Bird fans will enjoy these questions.

Where kiwi live
How they find food
What their eggs are like
Who cares for eggs
What threatens them

Did You Know?

Kiwi have a strong sense of smell.
They can live for decades.
Many sanctuaries protect kiwi from predators.
Their body temperature is low for a bird.
The kiwi fruit was named after the bird.