The kiwi is a blind bird

Aplau Level 1

April 30, 2017, 3:32 pm

15

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Kiwi birds are blind. They can't see anything, but they can locate insects and worms by smelling with their nostrils located at the end of long beaks. There are six unique varieties of kiwi bird. You can see them in some national parks of New Zealand like Kaitaia Nocturnal Park, Northland Regional Museum, Auckland Zoo, etc.

The kiwi is a blind bird

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Happyflowerlady

Happyflowerlady

This is actually an exaggeration, because the kiwi bird can see, they just have near-sighted vision and only see about six feet away during the daytime, and around two feet away in the dark. Since they are nocturnal, they do most of their hunting at night, and because they can't fly, they do not really need to see very far in front of them.
I would guess that since they catch bugs to eat, that their vision close-up is probably just fine. They are a very very ancient species of bird; so if they couldn't see well enough to keep away from predators and find enough bugs to eat, the kiwi bird would have long since become extinct.

9 years ago

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saygorem

saygorem

Yeah! I remembered that fact that it uses its nose to search for food. It can actually see but its nearsighted so it uses the enhanced nose to search and sniff insects and worms. It a wonder that even though its eyes is not capable to see far, it has a nose which is an asset to the creature.

9 years ago

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Barida

Barida

If they can't see something far and uses nose to source their meals, then they are not far from being blinded. It might be that the poster meant that as well, but couldn't explain it well.

9 years ago

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Heatman6190

Heatman6190

Wow, I never knew kiwi birds are blind, this is my first time of hearing such. I already presume that it just like other birds only that it's the black color which makes it distinct from other birds.

There is a friend of who is normal called Kiwi and I am 200 percent certain he doesn't kiwi is a blind bird. Thanks to this platform, I am hitting him up today that he is a blind bird.

9 years ago

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Barida

Barida

It's quite hilarious that someone answers that name anyway, but that's all about having nicknames that we don't actually know the true meaning attached to them. I would like to hear about his expression once you tell him about this.

9 years ago

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augusta

augusta

nIce to read about the Kiwi blind bird, but though I have been visiting the have never come across them.Hope to see them some day.

9 years ago

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Vastor122

Vastor122

What? Really? I just searched about Kiwis after reading this post and it came out true. They are fascinating creatures just like bats and snakes.

9 years ago

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AmieBotella

AmieBotella

Wow, I didn't know that fact. But isn't it amazing that they do not need sight because of the high sensitivity of their sense of smell? I've never really thought of this bird until I read this post. I usually associate Kiwi with a shoe polish because back in the day, the most famous shoe polish brand here in the Philippines is named Kiwi. I never really knew why it was named like that, but I always thought it has something to do with their color.

9 years ago

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wallet

wallet

I didn't know that kiwi is a blind bird, it is true that I have never seen one, still, this is a surprise for me. It is amazing how they can fly and find food since they are blind. This is another proof that God exists and He takes good care of his creatures!

9 years ago

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Barida

Barida

I wouldn't say that they are totally blind as they can see very close objects and see clearly at night. So, it's just in their nature to use the nose to find food that they eat during the day.

9 years ago

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vinaya

vinaya

Really? I did not know that kiwi is a blind bird. Perhaps that is because kiwi is not endemic to my region and I have never seen a kiwi for real, not even in zoos.

9 years ago

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mildredtabitha

mildredtabitha

I have come to know about this today and I also find it hard to believe that kiwi birds cannot see. How do they even know that the insect is food if they cannot see? How do the mother feed and protect the babies if she cannot see? Can someone share a link to where this is explained very well.

9 years ago

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Blank629

Blank629

Kiwi has a nice nose tracking insects and worms. There are a lot of animals that has different abilities. And the ability of kiwi bird is one of the extraordinary ability in animals. Even though kiwi bird is blind, it can live in its own. I hope people can do this ability even with the absence of one sense.

9 years ago

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jpk0007

jpk0007

Kiwis are birds that have no eyesight. In fact, they do not require the vision or eyesight for survival. Kiwis have a very keen sense of smell, hearing, and touch which helps them in procuring their food. They are nocturnal birds who never fly. In spite of being blind Kiwis are able to lead a very normal life.

8 years ago

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Camienard

Camienard

Indeed kiwi is a blind bird and I only found out about it last year while I was on a birding Costa Rica tour. What I liked the most was that we had a private guide who told us interesting information about each bird and in this way, we learned many new things. I also took the children with me so that they were impressed to the fullest. In case anyone here wants to know details about such tours, you can find it on costaricafocus.com

6 years ago

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