The Kiwi

New Zealand's national bird.

Features

Kiwis are not your typical bird. They are sometimes called ‘honorary mammals’ because of their strange mammalian traits. Unlike most birds, kiwis have heavy bones filled with marrow. Their powerful legs make up a third of their body weight and allow them to run as fast as a human. Kiwis also have cat-like whiskers and shaggy plumage that is more like hair than feathers.

Senses

Kiwis have highly developed senses of smell and touch, whereas most birds rely on sight as their primary sense. They are the only bird in the world to have nostrils at the end of their beak, which enables them to sniff out food in leaf litter and even beneath the soil.

Eggs

Kiwi birds put a lot of energy into incubating eggs - it takes around 80 days for them to hatch. This is more than twice the typical length of time for birds, closer to the gestation period of small mammals. Once the female kiwi lays her egg, the male sits on the egg until it hatches so the female can forage for food. Because the egg has taken up so much room in her body, her stomach has shrunken so much that she desperately needs to replenish herself.

Species

Rugby is a fast-paced, physically demanding sport that originated in England in the early 19th century. The game evolved from the traditional form of football, where players were allowed to carry the ball in their hands. Rugby quickly gained popularity and spread to other parts of the world, with countries like New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and England becoming dominant forces in the sport. The sport is known for its unique combination of strength, skill, and strategy, which makes it both exciting to watch and challenging to play. The game is played with two teams of 15 players each in Rugby Union, or 13 players in Rugby League. The objective is to carry, pass, or kick the ball to score points by grounding the ball in the opponent's try zone or kicking it through their goalposts. The game features intense physical contact, with tackles, scrums, and rucks being common occurrences. The laws of rugby are designed to protect the players, but the sport remains notoriously tough, demanding both endurance and mental toughness. One of the defining characteristics of rugby is its emphasis on teamwork and discipline. Players must work in unison to execute set plays, defend against attacks, and maintain possession of the ball. The game is highly strategic, with coaches often developing intricate patterns of play that require players to anticipate each other's movements. Rugby also values respect, both on and off the field, with an emphasis on fair play and sportsmanship. Rugby has a rich tradition of international competition, with prestigious tournaments like the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Championship, and The Rugby Championship bringing together the best teams in the world. The Rugby World Cup, held every four years, is one of the most-watched sporting events globally, showcasing the excitement and passion that rugby inspires. National pride is a driving force in these tournaments, and the atmosphere at international matches is electric, with fans supporting their teams with fervor. The sport of rugby continues to grow globally, with more countries participating in both amateur and professional leagues. The inclusion of rugby sevens, a faster-paced variant of the sport played with seven players on each team, has further expanded its reach, particularly in the Olympics. As rugby gains popularity in new regions, its future looks bright, with the potential for new stars and teams to emerge and make their mark on the sport. The sport of rugby continues to grow globally, with more countries participating in both amateur and professional leagues. The inclusion of rugby sevens, a faster-paced variant of the sport played with seven players on each team, has further expanded its reach, particularly in the Olympics. As rugby gains popularity in new regions, its future looks bright, with the potential for new stars and teams to emerge and make their mark on the sport. The sport of rugby continues to grow globally, with more countries participating in both amateur and professional leagues. The inclusion of rugby sevens, a faster-paced variant of the sport played with seven players on each team, has further expanded its reach, pa