I recorded the calling behaviours of shining cuckoos (Chrysococcyx lucidus) from 1992 – 2015 on Kawau Island. The 3 most common calls, the upward crescendo “whistling call,” the downward slur “call-note,” and the “call-note” with “chatter” notes, were given from the arrival of adults in late August-early September until early January. After January only the call-note was heard. The upward whistling calls averaged 9.5 notes per calling bout (se = 0.18, n = 721). There was no significant difference in the number of whistling notes given with or without following notes. Single call-notes from lone cuckoos or groups of birds were restricted to specific sites on ridges. Calling was infrequently heard during evening twilight, and not heard during darkness. There was an increase in the number of cuckoo detections after 2009, and this corresponded with the appearance of communal behaviour and calling.
The valley of the South Branch of the Hurunui River, prior to 2001, held a dense population of the orange-fronted parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi). However, a rat plague in 2001 reduced this population by ~85%. In preparation for a restoration program of this species in the Hurunui valley, I analysed the distribution of sightings of orange-fronted parakeets, as well as the congeneric, yellow-crowned parakeet (C. auriceps) prior to the population collapse. My objective was to identify the areas and types of habitats used by each species. A vegetation survey showed significant differences between different parts of the valley floor study site, and this appeared to be reflected in the distribution of orange-fronted parakeets. Both species had significantly different distributions, and orange-fronted parakeets were recorded most frequently within forests growing on the river fan, an area characterised by mature red beech (Nothofagus fusca) and areas of dense regenerating mountain beech (N. solandri var. cliffortioides). While the valley has been subject to anthropogenic modification since the 1850’s, it still contains a relatively intact beech forest. My observations on the historic distribution of orange-fronted parakeets suggest this valley is still capable of supporting a large population of the species. However, the success of any re-introduction program is likely to depend upon continued preventative and reactive predator control, as well as a release programme that introduces enough individuals to prevent severe bottlenecks.
The breeding behaviour and development of New Zealand falcons (Falco novaeseelandiae) were recorded at 2 nests in Kaingaroa Forest during a 4-month period up to 2 March 2007. This covered the later part of incubation, and the entire nestling and early post-fledging periods. Incubation was shared between parents; the male primarily incubated the eggs, during which time the female hunted. The male only provided occasional prey for the female. Brooding by both parents was intensive for the first 6 days and then gradually declined until the chicks reached 14 days old at which point it ceased. Assisted feeding of the chicks was almost always undertaken by the female. The male’s primary role during the nestling period was prey delivery. During the early nestling period the female spent the majority of the time brooding chicks before shifting to hunting for the young.
Cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Rotoiti have been linked to nutrient flows from Lake Rotorua via the Ohau Channel. To mitigate this, a diversion wall was constructed in 2008 that was designed to redirect water entering Lake Rotoiti from Lake Rotorua into the Kaituna River. One concern was whether the presence of the diversion wall might have adverse impacts on the abundance of birds using the lake. Monthly bird counts were undertaken at 8 sites in Lake Rotoiti, over 8 years, and which spanned the period before, during and after construction of the wall. Generalised linear mixed effect models and AIC were used to investigate any effects of the wall on 6 bird species. There was no apparent impact of the wall on 5 of the species. The sixth species, little black shag (Phalacrocorax melanoleucos), was more abundant in sites surrounding the wall post-construction, and appeared to be using the wall for roosting and to hunt for smelt.
The distribution, status and trends of grey-faced petrel (Pterodroma macroptera gouldi) populations are summarised from historical records from as early as the 1800’s, but predominantly over a 40 year period from the 1970’s and 1980’s to the present day. We tallied the most recent of 104 island population estimates to give a total range of 72,398-286,268 burrows over a minimum area of 37,967 ha. On predator-free islands (n = 9) during winter, the mean burrow occupancy rate was 60% (± 18 % SD). Fewer than 1000 burrows were detected from 20 mainland sites over an unspecified area. Implications for the conservation of this species are discussed.
Bird counts were carried out in Zealandia sanctuary, Wellington, New Zealand, along a 6.3 km slow-walk transect, every 3 weeks for 4 years (2011-2015). The mean ± se number of species detected per count was 30.0 ± 0.4 (range 22-37) and the mean ± se total of individuals detected per count was 572.7 ± 12.8 birds (range 361-809). Of 43 species detected, 15 occurred on every count, 8 on most, 13 less frequently and 7 only occasionally. Forest birds were mostly first detected by sound, but water or wetland birds mostly by sight. For 35 species with sufficient data to model, significant seasonal changes occurred in 9 species (26%) and significant annual changes in 4 species (11%), with the total of birds counted peaking in late summer/autumn. Song output varied amongst passerines, with large seasonal effects in 6 European introduced species, but lower seasonal effects in 9 native species.
We report Records Appraisal Committee (RAC) decisions regarding Unusual Bird Reports received between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014. Among the 126 submissions accepted by the RAC were the 1st New Zealand records of buff-breasted sandpiper (Tringites subruficollis) and dusky woodswallow (Artamus cyanopterus), the 2nd accepted record of American golden plover (Pluvialis dominicus), and the 3rd accepted record of Franklin’s gull (Larus pipixcan). Other notable records included a breeding record of white-winged black tern (Chlidonias leucopterus) from Marlborough, the 1st accepted records of little black shag (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) from Stewart Island and the Snares Islands, the 1st accepted records of nankeen night heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) and Australian coot (Fulica atra) from the Snares Islands, and the 1st accepted record of eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) from Campbell Island. In addition, notable influxes of Pacific heron (Ardea pacifica), little egret (Egretta garzetta), glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and white-winged black tern occurred during 2013-14. The RAC also reconsidered New Zealand’s only previously accepted sighting of black falcon (Falco subniger, reported from Gisborne in 1983), and determined that the record can no longer be accepted and that this species should be removed from the New Zealand list.
The hihi (Notiomystis cincta) is a small threatened passerine endemic to New Zealand, for which few methods are known for ageing and sexing wild unbanded individuals. We monitored hihi on Tiritiri Matangi Island over 3 years, studying moult and other sexing and ageing techniques. Juvenile hihi before their first partial moult can be sexed by the white bases of primary coverts on males, which appear brown in females. After juveniles undergo their first partial moult, they appear similar to adults; however juvenile males retain old feathers in their primary coverts, alulae, or sometimes greater coverts or inner primaries, while adults undergo a complete moult. These patterns can be difficult to see in juvenile females, but wear of juvenile tails is much greater than in adults at any given time of year, making ageing of females reliable. Moult in the outer primaries and secondaries in autumn also indicate adult birds. This information should help inform future translocations and attempts to monitor viability of wild populations. Finally, we also comment on alternative definitions for ageing criteria from Melville (2011), based not on suspected birth-dates, but on appearance of plumage in hand.