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Dispersal by juvenile North Island weka ( Gallirallus australis greyi )

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    2001

  • Author(s)

    G.N. Bramley

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    48, 1

  • Pagination

    43-46

  • Article Type

    paper

Keywords

dispersal; Gallirallus australis; radio tracking; Rallidae; web


Dispersal by juvenile North Island weka ( Gallirallus australis greyi )

Notornis, 48 (1), 43-46

G.N. Bramley (2001)

Article Type: paper

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Reports of dispersal by juvenile weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) on the North Island are rare. Estimates of the distance dispersed and the rate of survival of dispersers are important factors to be considered for weka conservation. I captured 20 young weka during a 2-year study and attached radio transmitters to 4 of them. In addition, I was able to measure the distance travelled by 3 banded weka that were either recaptured or seen again, and 1 weka that was recovered dead. Newly independent weka used a part of their parental home range at first, then moved up to 3.5 km. Two-stage dispersal, where young weka leave their parents but remain close by and move away later, has been reported on offshore islands: my results are consistent with that type of dispersal. More research is needed on weka dispersal because it is likely to be linked to factors important for their conservation and management.