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Kermadec Islands expedition reports: European passerines in the Kermadec Group

Notornis, 33 (4), 209-218

Merton, D., Veitch, C.R. (1986)

Article Type: Paper

The history and status of European passerines on the Kermadec Islands are reviewed and supplemented by observations from the Ornithological Society of New Zealand’s expedition to the group from 13 November 1966 to 27 January 1967 and by more recent unpublished data. Of nine species of European passerine recorded from the group, four are established, all apparently self-introduced from the New Zealand mainland some 720-980 km distant. Counts on Raoul Island in January 1967 showed that the more abundant passerines were, in order of relative abundance, Starling, Song Thrush, Tui, Blackbird and Yellowhammer. Measurements of Song Thrush, Blackbird and Starling are recorded.




Food of the Kingfisher during nesting

Notornis, 33 (1), 23-32

Fitzgerald, B.M., Meads, M.J., Whitaker, A.H. (1986)

Article Type: Paper

Food of Kingfishers (Halcyon sancta) in forest in the Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington, was identified from remains in pellets ejected by nestlings at four nests and from pellets and droppings of birds caught in mist-nets. Food items included a wide variety of invertebrates, with cicadas, dragonflies and chafers especially important. Lizards, small birds and mice were also important. The lizards identified were the forest gecko and common skink, and the small birds were the Rifleman, Grey Warbler and Silvereye.  Kingfishers were absent from the study area from June to September; it is suggested that the seasonal movements of Kingfishers are related to changes in the availability of food.

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1984 and a review of fulmar recoveries since 1960

Notornis, 33 (3), 171-184

Powlesland, R.G. (1986)

Article Type: Paper

In 1984, 5076 kilometres of coast were patrolled and 14223 dead seabirds were found. A new species for the Beach Patrol Scheme was a Bird of Providence (Pterodroma solandri). Four species found in greater numbers in 1984 than previously were the Black Petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni), White-faced Storm Petrel (Pelagodroma marina), Australasian Gannet (Sula bassana) and Pied Shag (Phalacrocorax varius). A wreck of mainly Kerguelen Petrels (Lugensa brevirostris), Blue Petrels (Halobaena caerulea) and Fairy Prions (Pachyptila turtur)occurred in August along the western coast and the northern half of the eastern coast of the North Island. A summary is given of the coastal and monthly distributions for each of four genera of fulmar (Macronectes, Fulmarus, Thalassoica and Daption) found during the 1960-1983 period. The most frequently found fulmar was the Antarctic Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), a consequence of wrecks numbering hundreds of birds in 1975 and 1978.


Breeding displays and calls of the Banded Dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus)

Notornis, 33 (4), 219-232

Bomford, M. (1986)

Article Type: Paper

Described are the Banded Dotterel’s threat display and call, used by either sex to defend the territory; wing-clicking flight display, used by the male to advertise territorial ownership; scrape display used by the male to entice the female to inspect the nest scrape; coition and associated display; changeover display given at the nest by either sex during incubation; displays used by parents to call chicks for brooding; and distraction displays and alarm calls given when predators approach the nest or chicks.