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North Island Brown kiwi vocalisations and their use in censusing populations

Notornis, 31 (3), 191-201

R. Colbourne, R. Kleinpaste (1984)

Article Type: Paper

Vocalisations of the North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx australis mantelli) were monitored from March 1981 to July 1982 in Waitangi State Forest, Northland. Calling rates were found to be seasonally cyclic and correlated with breeding. Males calIed more often than females. Four categories of kiwi sounds are described and their possible functions discussed. A census of kiwis based on counts of calls underestimates the population: a banding study in a small area gives a much better indication of kiwi numbers. An estimated 800-1,000 kiwis inhabit Waitangi State Forest. Calling rates are density dependent and so can be used for comparison of kiwi population densities between two areas.



Notes on Sooty Shearwaters and other avifauna of the Chilean offshore island of Guafo

Notornis, 31 (3), 225-231

G.S. Clark, A.P. von Meyer, J.W. Nelson, J.N. Watt (1984)

Article Type: Paper

According to available literature, Isla Guafo, Chile, has been rarely visited by ornithologists. The authors have produced a tentative species list. Birds observed within 1 km of the island are included in the total of 62 species. Breeding information was obtained for some species.  The discovery of a large breeding colony of Sooty Shearwaters (Puffinus griseus) is important because it is the first known large colony in Chile north of the Fuegian area.

Observations on the red-footed booby on Mabualau Island, Fiji

Notornis, 31 (1), 23-29

Langham, N.P. (1984)

Article Type: Paper

The red-footed booby (Sula sula) colony on Mabualau Island, Fiji, was visited from 1980 to 1982. Eggs were recorded throughout the year, and young were found in seven of the nine months of the year considered. The two peaks of nesting recorded were about 7-8 months apart. Only unsuccessful birds were likely to nest twice in the same year. Fledging success was low in both 1980 (55%) and 1981 (24%). Climatic factors rather than food supply or predators caused most mortality. The diet comprised flying fish and squid. Growth was similar to that on Aldabra Atoll, but fledging weight was higher. The timing of the breeding seasons is discussed.

Yellow bellbirds

Notornis, 31 (4), 278

P.D. Gaze (1984)

Article Type: Short Note








Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) roosts and flightlines near Wellington

Notornis, 30 (3), 217-226

Brockie, R.E. (1983)

Article Type: Paper

Information on flightlines of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) to and from roosts is summarised, and a map shows sites and areas served by roosts in the Wellington area. Four offshore islands in the area are used as roosts. In midwinter birds may spend 16 hours nightly in roosts. One roost has remained in use since at least 1913, and others have shifted or been used intermittently. The number of starlings flying to the major roosts in the region has fallen during the 1970s.



New Zealand birds

Notornis, 30 (3), 254-255

Dennison, T.C. (1983)

Article Type: Book Review




Breeding habits of the grey warbler (Gerygone igata)

Notornis, 30 (2), 137-165

Gill, B.J. (1983)

Article Type: Paper

Grey Warblers (Gerygone igata) at Kowhai Bush, Kaikoura, apparently moulted once annually – between January and March. They nested in 19 kinds of trees and shrubs – mostly small-leaved species, especially kanuka, the dominant plant in the study area. Behaviour associated with selection of the nest site is described. A list of materials used in building is given. On average, nests were 14 cm long and just over 7 cm wide. Nearly half the nests hung freely from their upper attachment; others also had attachments laterally and below. The entrances of nests were non-randomly orientated in 1976 but not so as to face away from prevailing winds. Copulation is described. Three eggs in September were laid close to sunrise. Late eggs were wider on average than early ones but no different in length. The constant that related fresh weight of eggs, length, and the square of width was 0.598. Eggs lost about a quarter of their weight during incubation. Grey Warblers hatched with natal down distributed in eight main and two minor patches. The physical and behavioural development of nestlings is described. A sample of 19 nestlings had been fed invertebrates of six orders. Caterpillars occurred in 90% of stomachs and made up 42% of ingested items. Spiders were next most important of total items. Nestlings were parasitised by the blood-sucking mite Ornithonyssus bursa. Fledglings had distinctive dark brown irides and yellowish facial plumage until February-March, when they moulted to adult form. Males played the greater role in caring for early fledglings while the female built the late nest. Young males seemed rarely to be successful in holding territory the summer after that in which they were reared. Brood parasitism by Shining Cuckoos was the main cause of failure of late eggs (though a relatively minor factor overall); mammalian predation was the greatest single cause of nestling mortality.