Dondersi

Dondersi is a genus of small, flightless birds belonging to the family Apterygidae. This genus is currently represented by a single species, the Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii). Dondersi birds are endemic to New Zealand, though introduced populations have been established on several predator-free offshore islands.

The Dondersi are characterized by their cryptic plumage, typically a mottled brown and grey, which provides camouflage in their forest and scrubland habitats. They possess a long, slender beak with nostrils located at the tip, which they use to probe the ground for invertebrates, their primary food source. Unlike most birds, their feathers are hair-like, and they lack a keel on their sternum, adaptations consistent with their flightless nature. They are nocturnal, spending their days in burrows or dense vegetation and foraging at night.

The scientific name Apteryx derives from ancient Greek, meaning "wingless." The genus name "Dondersi" is a tribute to a significant figure in early ornithological research. While the Little Spotted Kiwi is the sole extant species, fossil evidence suggests a wider distribution and potentially more species within the Dondersi genus in the past. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect the remaining populations of Dondersi birds from introduced predators and habitat loss.