It looked like a decent fight and for all we know may still be going.

A couple of kiwi got into squabble on Ulva Island in a video posted earlier today.

The kiwi face off and keep pecking and chasing each other while on a track on Ulva Island.

Ulva Island is a small island just off Oban and is free of all pests.

The video was posted by Rakiura Adventure, which runs tours and boat trips around Stewart Island. 

It said the video had come from a guest who it was trying to find so it could give them a credit.

It may seem odd for those living on the mainland and beyond to see a couple of the national birds squabbling, but kiwi are prolific in nature on Stewart Island.

Former Southern District councillor Bruce Ford said there were plenty of kiwi on the island.

You could be lying in bed at night and hear them wandering around gardens and pecking away at the ground, he said.

“It is a common occurrence around here. We live in the middle of town and they are always running through our house through the night. You get up the next day and you can see where they have been pecking away looking for worms,” he said.

He had heard of the animals scrapping, but was not sure what that was about.

Like all animals, kiwi were territorial, he said.

There were some operators who ran some kiwi finding tours at night. But they were not hard to spot, especially at night.

An increase in poisoning of predators such as rats may have led to an increase in kiwi, he said.

Department of Conservation principal advisor Jessica Scrimgeour said kiwi were territorial and fighting was a natural part of the territorial behaviour displayed by both males and females.

“We’re in the middle of breeding season at the moment, which can heighten the intensity of fights. We don’t know how often it happens, but it’s not considered unusual — perhaps more unusual for it to be seen by people.” she said.