BERLIN — Scientists say they have sequenced the genome of the brown kiwi for the first time, revealing that the shy, flightless bird likely lost its ability to see colors after it became nocturnal tens of millions of years ago.
Inspection of the kiwi’s DNA also showed greater diversity than in other birds in genes responsible for smell, indicating that New Zealand’s national animal can probably detect a wider range of odors — another useful adaptation for a species that prefers living in the dark.
