Fiordland and Stewart Island, with a tiny isolated population near Haast, New Zealand.
Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.
Population
Estimated population is 27,000 (2010) and decreasing.
Status VU
Predation by introduced species, including Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), Stout (Mustela erminea), cats, dogs and Ferets (Mustela furo) are the main threats.
For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.
Habits
Flightless. Nocturnal.
Food
Primarily invertebrates but also fallen fruit and leaves.
Voice
Male utters a shrill, clear ascending then descending whistle. Female utters a lower-pitched, hoarse cry.
Southern Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis) [XC525925]
by id from Stewart Island \/ Rakiura (near Oban), Southland District, Southland, New Zealand (?)
Southern Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis) [XC207312]
by ZHANG Shen from Rakiura National Park (near Stewart Island), Southland, New Zealand (call)
Nest
In a burrow, hollow log or sometimes under dense vegetation.
Eggs (Guide)
1 -2; white; 124 x 80 mm. Incubation: 75 - 90 days; by male. Eggs are laid 3 - 4 weeks apart.
Subspecies
Apteryx australis (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into Southern Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis) and Northern Brown Kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) following Baker et al. (1995).
The following 2 subspecies are recognised:
australis Shaw, 1813 - New Zealand.
lawryi Rothschild, 1893 - Stewart I. (New Zealand).
BirdLife International Species Factsheet