Apteryx

n.

1.

(Zool.) A genus of New Zealand birds about the size of a hen, with only short rudiments of wings, armed with a claw and without a tail; the kiwi. It is allied to the gigantic extinct moas of the same country. Five species are known.

Noun

1.

apteryx - nocturnal flightless bird of New Zealand having a long neck and stout legs; only surviving representative of the order Apterygiformes Synonyms: kiwi

flightless bird, genus Apteryx, kiwi, ratite, ratite bird