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Order Apterygiformes


Domain Eukarya
Kingdom Animalia
Sub-kingdom Eumetazoa
Sub-sub-kingdom Bilateria
Metaphylum Enterocoelous Coelomates
Phylum Chordata
Subphylum Vertebrata
Class Aves
Subclass Neornithes
Superorder Paleognathae

Order Apterygiformes

This group contains the kiwis of New Zealand. They are hen-sized, flightless birds with unkeeled sternum and vestigial wings. They have four toes on each foot, and a long bill with nostrils near the tip, which is used in probing soft ground for food. Greek: apterygos, without wings + Latin: forma, shape. (Dorit et al, 1991)