Brown Kiwi

The brown kiwi is one of the most special birds on the planet. Which with some luck you can see on your journey. It is absolutely worthwhile to make an effort for this special animal.

There are special excursions to see these animals in the evening. I did such an excursion and saw no less than four brown kiwis. It was wonderful to see these wonderful animals scurrying on the beach and through the bushes.

It's a strange sight: there's a kind of chicken scratching around in the dark on the beach. It uses its long beak to look for food between the seaweed. It's a southern brown kiwi, one of the most special birds in the world.

Mason Bay on Stewart Island, which is the most southern island in New Zealand, is a world-famous place to spot the southern brown kiwi, and the only place where this is relatively easy.

Despite being mostly nocturnal, many kiwis here also forage during the day, so it’s possible you might just cross paths with one. So make sure you keep an eye out when you walk or drive around the island.

The chance of seeing one during the day isn’t very high, but it definitely is at Mason Bay. Every single night they are spotted by visitors. A guide will take you out with a special torch with red light. You’ll encounter these curious birds all over the beach. It’s a unique experience.