Reading: A Forest at Night

At dusk in a New Zealand forest, the day’s birds grow quiet. A kiwi steps out from beneath a tangle of roots. Its strong legs carry it across the leaf litter as it probes the soil with its long bill, searching for worms and insects. Fine nostrils near the tip of its bill help it smell food underground—a useful skill in the dark. Nearby, a ruru calls from a branch. Unlike the kiwi, this owl can fly silently between trees. Its large eyes help it see in low light as it hunts. Both birds are active at night, but they find food in different ways. Night-time forests can be difficult places to live. Introduced predators such as stoats may hunt native birds and their eggs. People help protect forest wildlife by keeping pests under control and caring for healthy native habitats. When a forest has safe shelter and plenty of food, its wildlife has a better chance to thrive.