Welcome back, fellow explorers to our Youtube channel, as we continue our discussion of exploring the world of flightless birds. We believe you will surely enjoy this second video, especially if you’ve watched the first video released on this topic, where we talked about the ostrich and penguin. In this video, we will talk about the kiwi, cassowary and rhea. Do come along to find out intriguing and interesting facts about these majestic birds.
NUMBER ONE: Kiwi
The kiwi is a small, flightless bird native to New Zealand, has a distinctive long, slender beak. What sets the kiwi apart is its remarkable sense of smell, something that is very rare among birds. It has nostrils located at the tip of its beak, unlike most birds that have them near their head. The kiwi has a very poor eyesight, and despite being nocturnal, it still can’t see very well. Little wonder it relies on its sense of smell and whiskers to find food in the dark. The kiwi sniffs out insects, worms and grubs hidden beneath the forest floor.
The kiwi is the smallest of the flightless bird groups, which also include ostriches, emus, cassowaries, and rheas. It is about the size of a chicken, but can weigh up to 4 kg. lays the largest eggs in proportion to its body size of any bird in the world. The eggs can weigh up to one quarter of the female’s body mass. The chicks hatch fully developed and can fend for themselves within days. Baby kiwis take about three to five years to grow to their adult size. The birds can live to be 25 to 50 years old.
The kiwi is monogamous and forms long-term pairs that can last for decades. The male and female share the incubation and care of the eggs and chicks. They communicate with each other using a variety of calls, including a shrill whistle that gives them their name. The kiwi is an endangered species due to habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals, such as dogs, cats, ferrets, stoats, and rats. There are about 70,000 kiwis left in New Zealand, and their population declines by about 27 kiwis per week.
The kiwi is a unique and iconic bird that represents the natural and cultural heritage of New Zealand. It is also a symbol of the country’s people, who are often called Kiwis.

NUMBER TWO: Cassowary
Let’s delve into the fascinating world of the cassowary, a remarkable flightless bird found in the tropical rainforests of Australia and New Guinea. The cassowary is believed to be the third tallest and second heaviest living bird in the world, and it is known for its striking blue and black coloration.
The cassowary is equipped with a hard, helmet-like casque on its head. The casque is made of spongy material covered in keratin. Scientists aren’t entirely sure of its purpose, but it could serve as a protective shock absorber as they navigate dense underbrush or even play a role in their vocalizations. The casque adds to the mysterious appearance of these birds. The necks of cassowaries are long and muscular, allowing them to reach vegetation high in the trees. Their eyes are large and dark, providing excellent vision in the rainforest.
Cassowaries have strong, muscular legs that end in three-toed feet with sharp claws. They stand approximately six feet tall and weigh over 100 pounds. The cassowary is often dubbed the “murderbird.” Why? It possesses a five-inch claw on each foot, which it can use to deliver powerful kicks. Cassowaries are among the few bird species known to have killed humans—a reputation they’ve earned by their swift and deadly attacks. When attacking, cassowaries charge, kick, and sometimes even jump up to five feet in the air. Imagine encountering a bird that can leap like that! Their agility and speed make them formidable adversaries in their rainforest habitat. They can sprint at an impressive 30 miles per hour.
The government of Australia recognizes the importance of protecting these incredible creatures. The southern cassowary is currently endangered, and conservation efforts are underway to safeguard their rainforest habitat and ensure their survival.
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