There are four species of kiwi, a beloved national symbol of New Zealand. Kiwi are flightless birds with loose, furry feathers and a long bill. It is the only bird known to have nostrils. Kiwi live in pairs and mate for life. They are rather shy in the wild, but can be seen at many zoos throughout the country.
The kakapo is a large, flightless, nocturnal parrot found only in the southwest of New Zealand's South Island. As of August 2010, only 122 individuals were known to remain, making it the rarest parrot in the world. Its dark green camouflage is its only form of defense against introduced predators.
Another flightless bird, the takahe, is the largest known member of the rail family and is recognizable by its large red beak, blue and green color and thick legs. It was thought to be extinct until 1948. It can be easily seen at the Tiritiri Matangi Wildlife Sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland.
One of New Zealand's rarest birds, the small stitchbird, competes with the more common tui and bellbird for nectar and insects. It is the sole representative of a bird family found only in New Zealand.
Found only in the forests of South Island and Stewart Island, the mohua is a small, yellow bird that was once very common in the nineteenth century but has been steadily declining in population.
The tuatara's closest relatives became extinct 60 million years ago. This reptile, which can weigh up to 1 kilogram, is endangered through predation and competition, and can almost only be found in offshore or mainland sanctuaries, including Wellington's Karori Wildlife Sanctuary.
Four species of native frog remain in New Zealand. These amphibians are small, nocturnal, rarely croak, have no external eardrum and do not pass through a tadpole stage. They are very rare and hard to spot.
