Kiwi Kids News- Kokako Crowned NZ Bird of the Year

 Kokako Crowned NZ Bird of the Year

On November the 12th, 2016, the Kokako has been crowned the NZ bird of the year. The kokako is also known as the blue-wattled crow and it was far the most popular bird by online voters. The Kokako had 3614 votes and the following bird was the Kea with 2608 which is nearly 1000 votes away. The Forest and Bird Society who did the competition has made a new record with over 20,000 people voting.

On the year 2000, the Kokako was nearly facing extinction with only 660 left.

Kiwi Kids News-Lights Go Out For Earth Hour

Lights Go Out For Earth Hour

On the 27th of March, 2017, a couple of amazing landmarks around the world turned of their lights for 'Earth Hour'.  Earth hour is a first step to raise awareness of climate change. Monuments such as the Sydney Opera house, the Empire State building, the Kremlin (which is where the Russian government lives), Big Ben, the Leaning tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower and Egypt's pyramid were all to turn off their lights. They also asked homes and businesses to join in and individuals to perform to the cause on Facebook.
Last year, scientists have recorded the Earth's hottest temperature three times in a row. This is the time when many scientists say that humankind can still avoid rising sea levels, worsening droughts, floods and storms.
I think that this was a very good idea because our temperature is getting hotter as time passes. As the Earth is getting hotter, we all must be aware that some island's water are rising and that there are horrible floods and storms. I hope that we don't use too much electricity and plant more trees because a lot of trees are being cut down.

Kiwi Kids News-Rare Owl Flies Away From Adelaide Zoo

Rare Owl Flies Away From Adelaide Zoo

On February the 7th, 2017, an Australian owl made a dramatic escape during the free flight show. The owl's name was Oscar and he was a Sooty owl. The staff said that the owl was "hanging around" the trees until he suddenly disappears. After they knew that the owl was missing, they searched all day for the 10 year old owl but haven't seen him yet. His keepers asked to keep an eye out for him but they left his cage open just in case the owl decides he wants to come back.

Facts about owls:

Owls like to hide in hollow tree trunks, caves and in tall trees with heavy foliage.
The Sooty owl is also called the Greater Sooty owl.
Sooty owls are found in the southeastern Australia, Motane rainforests in New Guinea and has been seen in Flinders island.
If you want to know which one is female or male, females have lighter colour feathers than males.
Their calls are a piercing shriek which only last up to 2 seconds.

Kiwi Kids News- Kiwi Chick Hatches From Bad Egg

Kiwi Chick Hatches From Bad Egg

On October 20th, 2016, a Department of Conservation worker has found an egg with a massive hole in it's shell. They found this egg in Paraninihi, in north Taranaki but then they took to Rainbow springs in Rotorua. In Rainbow Springs, they used the shell of another egg and covered the hole with it. Then they put masking tape to hold it in place. After 11 days the egg hatched and it was named Fissure.

I really enjoyed this topic because the kiwi was saved by Rainbow Springs and I hope that all the kiwis are save in New Zealand.

Kiwi Kids News- Hurricane Matthew Devastates Haiti

Hurricane Matthew Devastates Haiti

On October 10, 2016, Hurricane Mathew has ripped into the South Coast of Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Hurricane has been one of the dangerous and powerful hurricanes in the Atlantic.
The wind was measuring over 200 km and many homes have been damaged while over 900 people have sadly died.
Around 10,000 people have gone to other shelters for safety while the Southern coastal areas have been blocked from the rest of the country because the bridge linking the area has collapsed.
Reporters have also said that the hospitals are overcrowded and shortages of fresh water while the people describe the hurricane as "catastrophic"

Late on Friday, Matthew became a furious Category Five, but then dropped down to a Category Three. The storm has been making it's way to the Caribbean so they alerted the people to stock up on supplies. This is a picture of how it started: