The North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) is the only kiwi found in the North Island. It is smaller than most of its other subspecies in the south. However, it is still widespread in forests and shrubs in northern New Zealand.
Most of the kiwi species, such as the North Island brown kiwi, feed during the night and are flightless. Their plumage is dark brown containing black, grey and red tones near their pointy feather tips. Males measure about 40 cm in length and are usually smaller than females. Females weigh 2,000 to 3,500 g, which is 500 to 1000 g more than their male counterpart. In fact, females also have a longer bill that can reach up to 20 cm.
The North Island Brown Kiwi lays one to two eggs per fertilisation. Males are responsible for their incubation, a period that lasts 70 to 85 days and is one of the longest in the class of birds (aves). They mostly feed on larvae, worms and other invertebrates within their territory.
As well as other kiwi species in New Zealand, the North Island brown kiwi suffers from a loss of habitat and several introduced predators such as ferrets and stoats. However, their population is under strict observation and several protection programmes help to restore brown kiwi numbers in the North Island.