How Do You Spell KIWI BIRD?

Pronunciation: [kˈiːwiː bˈɜːd] (IPA)

The Kiwi Bird, native to New Zealand, is often misspelled due to confusion over its pronunciation. The correct spelling is "Kiwi," with a long "e" sound at the end, as in "key-wee." The IPA phonetic transcription for "Kiwi" is /ˈkiwi/. This spelling reflects the bird's Maori name, which was adopted into English. However, the spelling with a short "i" sound, as in "kih-wee," is sometimes used in reference to the fruit, which is also called a kiwi.

KIWI BIRD Meaning and Definition

1. Kiwi bird (noun):

   A flightless bird native to New Zealand and the emblematic symbol of the country. It is a small, round-bodied bird with relatively short legs and wings, making it incapable of sustained flight. The kiwi bird belongs to the Apterygidae family, which also includes the small, flightless ratites found in other parts of the southern hemisphere. The kiwi bird is characterized by its distinctive long, thin bill tipped with sensitive nostrils located at the end. It possesses hair-like feathers, softer than those of most birds, and lacks the ability to fly due to evolutionary adaptations.

   The kiwi bird is primarily nocturnal and exhibits shy, secretive behavior, often found foraging for food during the night. Its diet primarily consists of insects, worms, grubs, and various fruits. Kiwis are also known for their high metabolism relative to their small size.

   Despite once being widespread throughout New Zealand, the kiwi bird's numbers have been significantly declining due to habitat loss, predation from introduced species, and hunting. Conservation efforts are in place to protect the remaining populations of this unique bird species, including wildlife reserves, predator control programs, and public awareness campaigns. The kiwi bird holds cultural significance for the Maori people of New Zealand and is an essential component of the country's identity and national pride.

Top Common Misspellings for KIWI BIRD *

• kiwibird 100%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Etymology of KIWI BIRD

The word "kiwi bird" refers to the flightless bird native to New Zealand, also known as the kiwi. The etymology of the word "kiwi" comes from the Māori language, which is the indigenous Polynesian language of New Zealand. The Māori people have referred to the bird as "kiwi" for centuries. The term may have originated from the bird's distinctive call, which sounds like "kee-wee". Over time, the name became associated with the bird's appearance as well. Eventually, it became the common name for the bird in English as well.