Publications Archive

This paper describes North Island kokako (Callaeas wilsoni) recovery actions and outcomes since 2000 at 11 sites with relict populations, and at 12 other mainland and three offshore island sites to where they have been translocated. Populations are now secure on pest-free Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island and Kapiti Island, and Tiritiri Matangi Island is a valuable advocacy site. Maungatautari is a large (3,300 ha) pest-fenced and pest-free site that has demonstrated rapid kōkako recovery. All other sites are unfenced and require ongoing control of key pests. The national total of kōkako pairs has increased from c. 458 in 2000 to c. 2,327 in 2023; however, latest counts indicate populations at seven sites have declined. Future kōkako recovery will be assisted most by improved, large-scale pest control tools for unfenced mainland sites, and by sustained effective pest control in large key relict populations (Pureora, Te Urewera, Rotoehu, Mapara, and Mokaihaha).

Holdaway, R.N.; Allentoft, M. E. 2022. A basic statistical approach to determining adult sex ratios of moa (Aves: Dinornithiformes) from sample series, with potential regional and depositional biases. Notornis 69: 158-173.

A colony of the Nationally Vulnerable Hutton’s shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) was established by translocations to Te Rae o Atiu, Kaikōura Peninsula from 2005. Weekly observer visits to the wooden nestboxes, and records from passive integrated transponder readers, provided detailed records of breeding activity. Birds visited many nestboxes in a season, with up to 29 birds recorded at one nestbox, and one bird recorded at 23 nestboxes. Breeding started at 4 years for males and 5 years for females. The pre-laying exodus by females averaged 11.8 days; however, there were instances of birds making up to three brief visits back to the colony. Egg laying was usually on the night of arrival back from the pre-laying exodus, and was asynchronous — average 6 November, but as late as 25 December. There were seven instances of two eggs being found in a nestbox in one season, with evidence of relaying in at least one case. The average hatching date was 13 December, incubation averaged 52 days, with a mean hatching success of 58%. Fledgling period was 87 days on average, with a mean success of 88%, resulting in mean productivity of 52%. Chicks left nestboxes on average 8 nights before fledging, before their first migration to Australian waters. Adults stopped visiting the nestboxes on average 17 days before their chicks fledged for females and 8 days for males. Fledging mass averaged 415 g, 75% of the mean peak mass of 550 g. Single parents successfully fledged a chick when the mate was lost or ceased visiting for up to 71 days before fledging, and a light mass chick (310 g) returned to Te Rae o Atiu and paired up. Divorce occurred in 36% of pairings that did not end with the loss of a partner; 87% of birds had at least one divorce, and one bird lost one mate and divorced six times in 13 years. Nestbox fidelity showed changes by many pairs, especially if there has been a change of partner.

Buller’s albatross Thalassarche bulleri is generally considered to comprise two subspecies: T. b. bulleri, which breeds on islands south of the South Island, New Zealand; and T. b. platei, which nests on the Three Kings Islands, off the northern tip of of the North Island, and on outlying islets of the Chatham Islands east of New Zealand. Although the name platei has been widely applied to the latter population, some authors have suggested that its type specimen is in fact a juvenile T. b. bulleri. As a result, those birds breeding in the Chatham and Three Kings groups have sometimes been considered to represent an unnamed subspecies, or even species, given recent evidence of their genetic differentiation. Because our own morphological examination of the specimen was inconclusive as to which population the type of platei belongs, we subjected the individual to molecular testing. From this, we can confirm that the name platei has been correctly applied to the northern population of Buller’s albatross.

Albatrosses and petrels are among the most endangered seabird species worldwide. They face threats such as plastic ingestion, bycatch in fisheries, invasive predators at breeding sites, light pollution, and climate change. Many seabird species from Aotearoa New Zealand migrate to the eastern Pacific waters during the non-breeding season, following the abundant food availability of the Humboldt current. In this article, we compile observations of Thalassarche and Procellaria petrels in Ecuadorian waters from five information sources such as incidental tourist vessel observations, incidental fishermen observations, beach patrols, seawatching and GLS loggers. We provide strong evidence of the presence of Salvin’s albatross and White-chinned petrel in Ecuador, two species previously considered hypothetical for the country’s official bird list. Additionally, we present photographic evidence of a live Southern Buller’s albatross in Ecuador and document further observations of the black petrel, including its interactions with local fisheries. These records emphasize the importance of enhancing monitoring efforts to gain a deeper understanding of the ecology and conservation of Ecuador’s seabirds. They also highlight the necessity and advantages of collaboration between New Zealand and Ecuador concerning highly mobile bird species.

Abstract: Coastal and nearshore habitats are important to all seabird species. Understanding the distribution of seabirds in these environments can aid in their conservation. Despite the importance of coastal habitat, data collection for seabird species at sea is often difficult and resource intensive. Here, we take advantage of an established marine mammal surveying programme to collect distribution data for seabird species encountered in nearshore habitat. We surveyed seabird communities over 76 days in four locations along the southeast coast of New Zealand’s South Island; Dunedin, Moeraki, Timaru, and Banks Peninsula. We present observations of seabird species presence in these locations, as well as, a brief assessment of the counting techniques used during the study. In addition, we summarise the seabird numbers in relation to the marine mammal surveys (i.e. the presence and absence of dolphins). We aim to show the value of opportunistic data collection, while contributing to baseline species distribution knowledge.

Kawau pāteketeke | New Zealand king shag (Leucocarbo carunculatus) nest occupancy, breeding, and offspring survival was studied for the first time at four colonies in 2018 and 2019, by analysing field camera still images. Nesting territories were retained year-round. Nest-building was underway by Mar and observed through much of the year. Successful pairs with stable nests were elevated and central to nest areas. Inter-colony asynchronous first clutches occurred over six months, with laying spanning 5–10+ weeks at single colonies (2019). Clutches of 2–3 eggs took ≤13 days to complete. Incubation commenced with first eggs; asynchronous hatching was 28–32 days later with brood reduction at early nestling stage and occasional replacement clutches observed. Chicks were unattended at 3–4 weeks, showing strong creche behaviour thereafter, and were fully feathered at 65 days, fledging soon after. Breeding outcome was most influenced by height above sea-level (waves), exposure (weather), and boat/landing disturbance. Most young disappeared from images at 4.5–5 months, their fate—dispersed or perished—unknown. Some resided at the colony into/ beyond the subsequent breeding season, sometimes interacting with presumed parents. Any predation (by gulls) was seen as opportunistic during disturbances, or of eggs not in nests.