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Foraging behaviour and habitat partitioning in sympatric invasive birds in French Polynesia

Notornis, 61 (1), 35-42

J.H. Bates; E.N. Spotswood; J.C. Russell (2014)

Article Type: Paper

Interactions among invasive bird species have received relatively little attention despite the potential important consequences for community dynamics and invasion spread. Where species occupy similar environments the outcome may be particularly unpredictable. In this study we examined the foraging behaviours of 2 sympatric invasive birds in Mo’orea, the common myna (Acridotheres tristis) and the red-vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), to determine if they exhibit behavioural or habitat partitioning. We investigated the ratio of foraging to vigilance behaviour of both species at novel food stations, as well as the effects of foraging group size and species composition on their behaviour. While the myna and bulbul exhibit similar behaviour, sites where they occur were partitioned within habitats. Novel food stations however, encouraged foraging at the cost of vigilance behaviours. Behaviours were not influenced by conspecific group size, and intraspecific interactions were more frequent, and of a greater intensity than interspecific interactions. These results suggest that the 2 species minimise competitive interactions by occupying different sites within the same habitat, and prioritise food acquisition in a new environment. Sympatric introduced species may avoid competitive exclusion if habitat usage limits the frequency of interactions.

Calling and display by peacocks (Pavo cristatus) at Mansion House Historic Reserve, Kawau Island, New Zealand

Notornis, 61 (1), 27-34

A.J. Beauchamp (2014)

Article Type: Paper

Information was collected on the calling and display behaviour of 3 peacocks in the absence of peahens at Mansion House Historic Reserve, Kawau Island. The peacocks used an exploded lek display structure from late August to late December. Peacocks predominantly used the eow and occasionally the ka notes during tail displays but were silent during many displays. The overall composition of call notes given during the breeding period differed from than those used in a large dense peafowl breeding population in Japan.

At-sea observations of Heinroth’s shearwater (Puffinus heinrothi)

Notornis, 61 (2), 97-102

P. Harrison (2014)

Article Type: Paper

This paper reports recent at-sea sightings of the little-known Heinroth’s shearwater (Puffinus heinrothi) within the Solomon Islands. Feeding habits are described and compared to those of black noddy (Anous minutus). Observations suggest that Heinroth’s shearwater occurs in dark, intermediate and pale forms, and may be better considered as a polymorphic species.

Field weights and measurements of Australasian shoveler (Anas rhynchotis) in New Zealand

Notornis, 61 (1), 19-26

M. Williams (2014)

Article Type: Paper

Weights and measurements of 120 male and 109 female adult and juvenile Australasian shovelers (Anas rhynchotis) were obtained from fresh specimens shot in May, mostly during 1976-1979, at 2 sites in North Island, New Zealand. Mean weights of adult males (634 g) and juvenile males (616 g) were significantly greater than those of adult (608 g) and juvenile (558 g) females. For both sexes, weight/tarsus length2 ratios of juveniles were significantly lower than adults but there was no difference between sexes within each age class. Measurements of bill length and width, tarsus and mid-toe-and-claw, and wing and tail lengths are presented for each sex and age class. All measured characters of juvenile males were significantly longer than juvenile females and adult males were significantly longer than adult females. Within each sex, only wing and tail lengths of adults were significantly longer than juveniles. These findings are typical of other shoveler species.
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