The kiwi bird is native from New Zealand, so it comes as no surprise that it has become the island’s national symbol. Flightless, and no bigger than the size of a chicken, the kiwi bird is very precious and people all over the world have grown to be very fond of it. The only thing is that it is nocturnal, so the kiwi bird sleeps during the day and is active at nighttime. Its unique characteristics turned the kiwi bird into one of the most beloved birds, but unfortunately there are not many places where people can see it.

Being the national bird of New Zealand, it is obvious that the best place to look for the kiwi bird is this beautiful country. So if you are a kiwi bird’s passionate, you can see it at the Whangarei Kiwi Sanctuary, the Moehau Kiwi Sanctuary on the Coromadel Peninsula, the Tongariro Kiwi Sanctuary, the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary or the Haast Kiwi Sanctuary. These are all sanctuaries, which have been set up by the Department of Conservations, in order to protect the kiwi birds and to find new ways to increase their number. One of the largest public collections of kiwi birds can be seen at the Otorohanga Kiwi House and Native Bird Park, which is located in the heart of the North Island. Other places where you can see the kiwi bird in its natural habitat are Zealandia, in Wellington,Maungatautari Restoration Project, Bushy Park Forest Reserve, Otanewainuku Forest, Hurunui Mainland Island, Kiwi Wildlife Park at Rainbow Springs in Rotorua and Kapiti Island Natural Reserve.

As you can see, in New Zealand and a few island neighbors, you can easily find the kiwi bird. However, besides these places, in the rest of the world it is pretty hard to see the kiwi bird, as it can be found in no more than 13 zoos worldwide, outside New Zealand. So the cities where you can see the kiwi bird, in captivity, are London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Walsrode, Washington, San Diego, Columbus and Alphen aan den Rijn (Netherlands).