WALT write a report

KIWI!!!

by Josephine

The kiwi is a special bird. It is related to the extinct moa, and is more like an animal than a bird. We see the kiwi on our stamps, coins and New Zealand made goods, we even call ourselves KIWIS! This bird is special to New Zealanders, it is one of our native birds that we protect from all its predators.

Description

The kiwi has a long beak  so they can get earthworms. They use their long beak to reach into the soil. It has black bulging pupils and two sharp claws at the end of their feet. When you lay eyes on the kiwi  you think it looks spiky but it isn’t, it has nice and soft feathers. Kiwis feathers are warm, hang loose and are much fluffier than other birds.

Young

Breeding begins in winter for the brown kiwi and in spring for the little spotted kiwi. The hen takes many weeks to lay one egg, or sometimes, two or three eggs. Only one egg can be incubated. The eggshells are white or greenish white. Did you know that kiwis eggs are the size of six hen eggs?

Wings

The kiwi has wings the size of  our little finger, it has lost its tail. It is too heavy to fly and their wings aren’t strong, they are stiff.

Threats

The kiwi  has lots of predators. DOGS! Dogs are major threats to kiwis. Dogs can easily pick up the birds with their sharp teeth, and they can easily kill them because the kiwi doesn't have a bone frame or muscle in its ungainly body.

Conclusion

The kiwi is special to us New Zealanders, it is one of our native birds that we protect from all its predators. It is really not like a bird because it doesn't fly. If you are in New Zealand make sure you visit them in our native bush or in our zoo’s.

Quick Write

Mmmm, Christmas cookies and ice cream, Mmmmm I want that gummy bear. Ahhhh. "Mr speech bubble, you need to be above my head right now and your not here" said the girl "I was sleeping, so leave me alone" Yelled Mr speech bubble "now I'm going back to bed"

Posted by Jade

WALT...write a report

Tuatara

By Bronson

Tuatara have lived over thousands of years that is when dinosaurs were around.

Food  

Tuatara eat wetas, earthworms and spiders.

Enemy

The tuataras  enemy is a rat. The rat’s and possum’s steal the tuataras egg’s.

Habitat

The tuataras burrow is a hole in the ground. The tuatara sometimes shares its burrow with a bird such as a petrel.

Colour

Tuatara can be black, red, brown, light gray and light brown. You can only find Tuatara in New Zealand, pet shop’s, zoo’s and in the wild.

WALT.. to write a report

Possums

By Lucy

   

Possums are a pest in New Zealand. They are native to Australia and were brought to New Zealand in 1858.

Bovine TB

TB is the worst part of a possums. Cows and deer get it from sick possums. Farmers hate this disease, when an animal gets this disease they get very sick and will almost die. The government pays lots of money for poison to be laid to kill the possums.

Baby possums

Baby possums may look cute and cuddly, but you are being fooled. A possum is normally pregnant in April to March. When a baby possum is born they are the size of a bee. They drink milk and live in a pouch this makes them marsupial. Twins are very rare which is very good because new possums are born every year, and if they were all twins, we would have heaps! In six months they are the size of an adult and still ride on their mothers back.

Pests

Possums were brought to New Zealand in 1858 for their fur. 70 Million possums are out there killing Kiwis and other birds, and also eating eggs. Unfortunately the traps people put out can also kill kiwis.

When you are next out in the bush at night take a gun and look out for the red eyes because they are the naughty  little possums.

WALT....write a report

Tui

By Tara

The Tui is native to New Zealand it is also a very good singer. The Tui is the first to sing in the morning and last in the evening.

Description

A Tui is completely black apart from their neck that has a tuft of white feathers that pokes out like a lump on your throat and a wing feather which is also white. Tui’s also have a tongue like a brush to soak up all the nectar out of the flowers.

Food

Tui’s drink kowhai nectar which is as sweet as honey, they also drink nectar plants like flax and puriri. They eat fruit plants but they mostly drink nectar.

Threats

Do you want to keep Tui’s alive? Then don’t let possums, cats, rats, magpies, weasels, stoats, and ferrets near them. All these predators do a lot of damage, and they also steal eggs from their nests!

Habitat

Tui’s are found in parks, gardens and forests which are mainly in the North Island. They are also found by their favourite nectar plants like flax, kowhai, rewarewa, pohutukawa and lots lots more.

Next time you want to see a Tui come to New Zealand and go to the native reserves or you may even see Tui’s in your backyard.

WALT....write a report

Glow worms

by Jorja

Intro

What are glow worms? Did you know that the New Zealand and Australian glow worms are maggots of special kind of fly known as a fungus gnat?

Description

When you go into limestone caves, look out for glow worms they look like stars shining in the night sky. On their tails they carry a bright green chemical which attracts midges and other small insects.

Did you know that they are not worms, they are beetles?

Habitat

You may have seen glow worms in limestone caves and damp places, you can  in also find them in dark shady parts of the bush. Look for their bright green lights when it is dark.

Food

When an insect is caught by the glow worm the larva emerges from its tube, hauls in the line, bites the insect, then eats it!

Conclusion

Next time when you are in a limestone cave or in the dark shady parts of the bush when it is dark, look for glow worms and their AWESOME green lights.

WALT... write Reports

Kiwi

By Jaimee

This bird is special to New Zealanders. It is just one of the native birds of our country.

Description

The Kiwi has a long beak which is used for eating it’s favourite food which is earthworms. They also have little dark eyes.

Threats

Due to them falling prey to dogs, stoats, rats and other animals.These animals are threats because they can kill the Kiwi and eat their eggs.

Eggs

Breeding begins in winter for the brown Kiwi and in spring for the little spotted Kiwi. The Kiwi egg is 12 to 13 centimetres long. Only one egg can be incubated at a time.

While you are in New Zealand come and see the Kiwis at Mount Bruce and local zoos, and if you are really quiet you might be able to to see them in the bush.