Kingdom of Birds
Before the first human beings arrived, New Zealand was inhabited by birds. There were over 160 different species. With few natural enemies, most of these birds gradually lost their ability to fly. Some were very tall and ate leaves off trees, while others grazed like sheep. Today, only a few of New Zealand's flightless birds survive. One is the kiwi, which is about the size of a duck. The kiwi is the national bird and emblem.
New Zealanders often call themselves 'Kiwis'. English spoken in New Zealand is often called Kiwi English. Most of New Zealand's unique birds and many of its native seals and fish have become extinct in the last five hundred years.
Before the first human beings arrived, New Zealand was inhabited by birds. There were over 160 different species. With few natural enemies, most of these birds gradually lost their ability to fly. Some were very tall and ate leaves off trees, while others grazed like sheep. Today, only a few of New Zealand's flightless birds survive. One is the kiwi, which is about the size of a duck. The kiwi is the national bird and emblem.
New Zealanders often call themselves 'Kiwis'. English spoken in New Zealand is often called Kiwi English. Most of New Zealand's unique birds and many of its native seals and fish have become extinct in the last five hundred years.