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Kiwi birds are unique in their physical features, habitat and habits. Owing to these factors, kiwi birds are considered to be closest to mammals, as compared to birds. Let us take a look at the kiwi bird facts, which make these birds distinct and unique.Physical Features: Kiwi birds are odd-looking birds, which lack most of the characteristic features of birds. These birds are the smallest among the flightless birds, like, emu, ostrich, cassowary, etc. Kiwi birds resemble domestic chicken in size and almost all species are endangered. Kiwis have coarse, hair-like feathers and whiskers and most of them are grayish-brown in color. These birds have no keel (an extension of the sternum, which provides an anchor to attach a bird's wing muscles) and tail. Even though they have two vestigial wings, which are covered by feathers, these appendages are useless. Female kiwis are larger, as compared to the males. These females lay very large eggs, in fact the largest eggs, in relation to their body size. Another interesting kiwi bird fact is that they have external nostrils at the end of their bill and most of them possess great sense of smell. Their legs are very strong and are adapted for burrowing. The small eyes of kiwis do not work properly in full sunlight and the ear openings are also well developed.