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How to See the Difference in Male & Female Kiwis

Kiwis are small, flightless birds native to New Zealand. Both male and female have identical plumage. Their feathers are almost furry looking. Kiwis have no tail, three toed feet, and a long bill that they use to probe the soil for earthworms and insects. Even though the sexes look alike, they are different sizes. The female kiwi is bigger than the male. This may be due to their reproductive strategy, because the kiwi lays the largest egg of any bird relative to its size.

Instructions

- 1
  Check the height of the kiwi. Females are taller than the males. Males are approximately 17 3/4 inches (45 centimeters) in height, while the females are around 20 inches (50 centimeters).
- 2
  Weigh the kiwi. Males are approximately 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 lbs. (2.5 to 3 kilograms), with females ranging from 7 3/4 to 9 lbs. (3.5 to 4 kilograms).
- 3
  Measure the length of the bill. A male kiwi's bill is about 3 3/4 to 4 inches (95 to 105 millimeters), while the female's bill is about 4 1/4 to 4 3/4 inches (110 to 120 millimeters).

Animals & Science