Ketonissa

Ketonissa is a genus of small, flightless birds belonging to the family Apterygidae. These birds are endemic to New Zealand and are the country's national symbol. Kiwis, as they are commonly known, are nocturnal and have a distinctive long, sensitive beak with nostrils at the tip, which they use to probe for invertebrates in the soil. Their feathers are soft and hair-like, and they possess powerful legs and feet adapted for digging burrows. There are currently five recognized species of kiwi: the brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli), the great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii), the little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii), the rowi (Apteryx rowi), and the tokoeka (Apteryx australis). All kiwi species are threatened or endangered due to habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals such as stoats, ferrets, and dogs. Conservation efforts are underway to protect their populations and restore their native habitats.