The North Island robin (Petroica longipes) was introduced to the Zealandia – Karori Sanctuary in 2001. The sanctuary is a mainland island (225 ha) in Wellington that is free from all mammalian predators except mice (Mus musculus), and enclosed by a predator-proof fence. During 2001 and 2002 a total of 76 robins were translocated from Kapiti I to the sanctuary. To assess changes in this population since its introduction, I surveyed and mapped territories of robins in a 37 ha section of the sanctuary in 2008. Density has continued to increase, from 0.7 robins/ha in 2003 to 2.5 robins/ha in 2008. This density is higher than other mainland sites. Of 46 adult robins seen within the study area at the start of the 2004-05 breeding season, at least 17 remained within the area in 2008, close to their 2004 territories. These included 4 robins from the original transfer. In all cases where both partners from 2004 were seen in the study area in 2008, the pair bond remained intact. My survey confirms continued increase in this introduced population and high pair fidelity.
The foraging behaviour and success of Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca) was investigated in a range of natural and artificial urban habitats in Queensland, Australia. Observations were made in tidal mudflat, freshwater wetland, rural grassland, urban park and landfill habitats. Australian white ibis exhibited a range of foraging behaviours, including both visual (fossicking, jabbing and pecking) and non-visual foraging behaviours (probing). The most common non-foraging behaviour was walking, followed by prey handling, pause and alert. Fighting was observed only in landfill habitats. Australian white ibis were able to capture food items in all habitats, although foraging success at landfills was more than twice as high as the other habitats. Food items captured at landfills required significantly more time to handle before swallowing. The ability of ibis to capture food items in all habitats indicates that they are effective habitat generalists.
Between the 1850s and the early 1900s, most of the native forest of western Taranaki was systematically destroyed. This destruction likely accounted for the disappearance of bellbirds (Anthornis m. melanura), and other native birds, from most of that area. The return of bellbirds to New Plymouth in the 1920s may have been a direct result of increased food that had become available to them there. However, bellbirds have recently become rare visitors to New Plymouth. This may be the result of a possible reduction in the population of bellbirds in nearby Egmont National Park and/or increasing ambient temperatures in cooler months of the year.
North Island kaka (Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis) often hold food in either their left or right foot when feeding. I observed kaka at Zealandia
The distribution and habitat use of New Zealand pipits (Anthus n. novaeseelandiae) in Tongariro National Park on the volcanic plateau of the North I was assessed in Nov 1998 and Mar 1999. Pipits were found at 13 of 22 sites. Surveys between Nov 1998 and Oct 2009 found pipits present all year at Lake Te Whaiau, Mangatepopo Road and Waipakihi Road. Pipits were also seen along the road through the wetland at Erua in winter and summer. At Lake Te Whaiua, pipit presence and use of habitats differed seasonally. The average maximum flock size in summer was 9.7 (se = 1.05, n = 11). Maximum roadside counts outside of the flocking period were 1.13 pipits km-
Singing and territorial behaviour of North Island tomtits (Petroica macrocephala toitoi) were used to monitor population size over a 3-year period at Atuanui, Mount Auckland Scenic Reserve, North Auckland. Male tomtits were observed singing year-round with singing peaking in the period from Nov to Jan. The general territorial behaviour of Atuanui tomtits was similar to that reported for other North Island populations, with territorial males resident in all months and most territories occupied in successive years. Density of territories was stable over the 3-year period but vacancies in suitable habitat suggest the population is not at carrying capacity.
I conducted road counts on the North I and South I of New Zealand in Mar 2006 to evaluate relative abundance and distribution of Australasian harriers (Circus approximans). Over 1670 km were traveled on the North I with 98 harriers detected, yielding 1 harrier/17.0 km traveled. Over 2430 km were traveled on the South I with 145 harriers detected, yielding 1 harrier/16.8 km traveled, with no difference in number of harriers detected/km traveled between islands (P > 0.25). Three survey routes, 1 on southeastern North I and 2 on northeastern and east-central South I, were particularly productive yielding 1 harrier/7.1-11.1 km traveled. My results provide empirical support for the frequently cited description that the Australasian harrier is now New Zealand
In Jul and Aug 2005, 18 North Is kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) were released into a 450-ha area of New Zealand native forest subject to intensive control of introduced mammalian predators. The area, Ngapukeriki (near Omaio, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand), lies within a 13,000-ha matrix of native and exotic forest subject to lower and variable degrees of predator control. In contrast to most previous kokako translocations, this project employed 3 tactics to maximise the likelihood that kokako would remain in the target area: 1) many birds were released in a short period; 2) playback of kokako song was broadcast in the release area (potentially creating an
Natal dispersal of the New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) was documented using relocations of radio-tagged and colour banded falcons in Kaingaroa pine plantation. The age at which fledglings commenced natal dispersal was highly variable. The earliest fledglings dispersed 42 days after fledging, whilst others did not disperse out of their natal territories, remaining there to breed. After 91 days, 87% of fledglings had begun dispersal out of their natal territory. The mean time for the onset of dispersal was 76 days. Males generally dispersed earlier than females, but no significant difference was recorded. Both radio telemetry and colour band recoveries indicated that a large proportion of fledglings dispersed out of the study area. Mean natal dispersal distance within Kaingaroa Forest was 9.6 km. No significant difference was observed in natal dispersal distances between the sexes, although males generally roamed further afield than females. During this study, several females were recorded successfully breeding during their 1st year, a year earlier than usual. Males did not attempt to breed until they were 2 years old. We conclude that the high emigration rates and favourable breeding conditions in pine plantations make these habitats highly likely to act as source populations for neighbouring areas where populations of the New Zealand falcon may be in decline.