Publications Archive

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.

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.

Egg floatation is a technique which can be used to estimate egg age and hatching dates of New Zealand shorebird eggs. It can be used to improve the accuracy of nest survival models, help identify nest outcomes, assist with chick survival monitoring and to prioritise the capture of incubating birds. We used egg floatation to estimate the age and hatching dates of South Island pied oystercatcher (Haematopus finschi) (SIPO) eggs. We developed regression equations to estimate the age of SIPO eggs by modelling egg angle and egg float height against egg age using a sample of eggs with known hatch dates. For early incubation eggs, we used linear regression to model the relationship between egg age and egg angle only, whereas for late incubation eggs we used multiple regression to model the relationship between egg age and both egg angle and egg float height data. These equations allowed 90% of SIPO eggs to be aged to within five days of their actual age. We recommend that species-specific regression equations describing the relationship between egg float characteristics and egg age be developed for other New Zealand shorebird species, to aid future research, monitoring and conservation management actions on these 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.

Since the publication of the fifth edition of the Checklist of the Birds of New Zealand in 2022, 3 new vagrant species (2 terns and a storm petrel) have been accepted as occurring in New Zealand as at 31 December 2023, and 11 species that became extinct more than c. 1 million years ago have been described. These comprised 3 waterfowl, 1 owlet-nightjar, 1 tropicbird, 3 penguins, 1 albatross, 1 petrel, and a ‘false-colie’ (the latter is considered unrelated to any known group of birds). These 11 new fossil species were found in deposits of the following epochs: Paleocene (3), Miocene (6), and Pliocene (2). The richest areas for discovering new species were Miocene lacustrine deposits of the St Bathans region of Central Otago (5 species), and Paleocene marine deposits from the eastern South Island (3 species). Two Pliocene seabirds were from marine sediments in south Taranaki, and a Miocene albatross was found in a limestone quarry in South Canterbury. Recent publications potentially affecting the taxonomy, nomenclature, classification and arrangement of New Zealand birds are assessed, and recommendations are made that affect 56 taxa. This includes splitting Tibetan sand plover Anarhynchus atrifrons from Siberian sand plover A. mongolus, and Pyramid prion Pachyptila pyramidalis from fulmar prion P. crassirostris, thereby adding a further two species to the New Zealand bird list. The total number of bird species, including fossil species, now accepted from the New Zealand region is 502.

The wrybill | ngutu pare (Anarhynchus frontalis) is a small plover endemic to New Zealand with a unique laterally curved bill. Apart from moult, much of its biology is well understood: adults breed from late August to January on the braided river systems in Canterbury and inland Otago on New Zealand’s South Island. From midsummer, late December and January, they migrate north to non-breeding areas in the northern part of the North Island, especially to the large tidal bays, east and west of Auckland, where they undergo primary moult from January to April. The Underhill- Zucchini moult model was used to estimate the mean start and completion dates of primary moult, which were 20 January and 3 April respectively. Adults thus commence primary moult soon after arrival on non-breeding grounds but complete moult around four months before southward migration to their breeding areas in August. They appear to avoid primary moult during winter. Second-year birds start primary moult in December, one month earlier than the adults, but finish at approximately the same time. Primary moult of the wrybill is compared with closely related species, and with other waders that breed on the South Island and migrate to North Island for the non-breeding season.

Abstract: Observations were made of the Nationally Vulnerable Hutton’s shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) breeding at Te Rae o Atiu, Kaikōura Peninsula (42.429°S, 173.703°E), New Zealand, a new colony established by translocations where birds breed in nestboxes. Over 12 seasons there were 245 eggs laid, including seven instances of two eggs laid as separate clutches in one nestbox during the same season. Nestbox inspections, usually undertaken weekly, provided evidence of egg laying date. Bird attendance at the nestboxes was also obtained from implanted passive integrated transponders that triggered a reader and datalogger. There is evidence for birds re-laying an egg after the first egg failed for three separate events, and a fourth was a possibility. In three other events, it appears more likely that two different birds laid the eggs, two as female-female pairings or simply egg dumping by an unpaired female; the third event was inconclusive. Only one of the 14 eggs from two-egg nests hatched, and the chick fledged successfully, about 10 days later than any other chick recorded at this colony. This fledging date was similar to the last date for fallout birds from the natural, mountain colonies, and suggests that re-laying may be a natural consequence of early egg failures in this species.

Abstract: Hutton’s shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) is a burrowing petrel endemic to the alpine zone of the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges, New Zealand. In November 2019, we accessed an understudied breeding colony at Shearwater Stream in the Puhi Peaks Nature Reserve for the first time since a Mw 7.8 earthquake struck the region in 2016. We measured population parameters and carried out a geomorphological assessment. We estimate that the Shearwater Stream colony supports approximately 3,000 breeding pairs. Ground deformation attributed to the 2016 earthquake did not explain the discrepancy between this estimate and the commonly cited (pre-quake) population estimate of ~8,000 pairs. We highlight the limitations of extrapolated population parameters and of using vegetation cover as a coarse proxy for colony area. We discuss how low burrow occupancy and long-term reductions in the availability of suitable habitat indicate a population at risk of decline. We highlight how stable long-term data for burrow density and breeding success may not be reliable indicators of population health at Shearwater Stream.

Abstract: A new colony of the endangered Hutton’s shearwaters (Puffinus huttoni) has been established at Te Rae o Atiu on the Kaikōura Peninsula, South Island east coast, New Zealand to provide insurance against catastrophic events at the high-altitude natural colonies in the Kōwhai River and Shearwater Stream, Seaward Kaikōura Range. The translocation of 495 chicks from the Kōwhai River colony was carried out in six operations from 2005 to 2013. Of the 473 fledglings, 97 have been recorded back at Te Rae o Atiu. Chick selection criteria, fledgling mass, fledgling wing length, days present before fledging, and days of emergence before fledging had no bearing on whether chicks returned from their post-fledging migration to Australian waters or not. One hundred and twelve Te Rae o Atiu bred chicks have fledged up until 2020–21. The Te Rae o Atiu fledglings had similar mass and wing lengths, and days emerged prior to fledging, to the translocated fledglings. There were no differences between the groups of Te Rae o Atiu bred birds that returned or did not. At 2020–21, 21 of the 112 second-generation chicks have returned from their initial migration, and the earliest have bred successfully. The colony has grown to about 75 birds producing about 30 eggs, 24 chicks, and 22 fledglings annually. Future growth of Te Rae o Atiu will be reliant on these home-bred chicks as the oldest translocation birds will soon be approaching the end of their breeding lives. Acoustic attraction of birds flying over Te Rae o Atiu from the sea towards the Kōwhai River natal colony has been mostly unsuccessful with only two birds attracted.

Abstract: The critically endangered kuaka Whenua Hou (Whenua Hou diving petrel, Pelecanoides georgicus whenuahouensis) is a burrow-nesting petrel, restricted to breeding in the foredunes of Whenua Hou. The species’ recovery is inhibited by ongoing threats such as vessel-based light pollution, interspecific competition, and climate change including storm-induced erosion of fragile breeding habitat and thus, kuaka Whenua Hou would benefit from the establishment of a new colony through translocation. However, translocations of petrels require hand-rearing of pre-fledging chicks on the destination site to reset their philopatric behaviour. We documented a hand-rearing and translocation trial of kuaka Whenua Hou in preparation for future translocations. Ten kuaka Whenua Hou chicks were translocated from natal burrows to nest boxes installed behind the colony, and hand-reared on a bespoke diet of pureed sardines. All hand-reared chicks fledged successfully, with fledging mass similar to naturally-reared chicks and with slightly longer wing lengths. The techniques used highlighted the importance of selection criteria, access to natural growth curves to infer feeding regimes, nutritionally rich diets, and strict hygiene protocols. Our trial provides a knowledge base for future translocations and the establishment of new kuaka Whenua Hou colonies.

Tuhinga whakarāpopoto: He momo tata korehāhā te kuaka o Whenua Hou (Pelecanoides georgicus whenuahouensis), he momo ōi e whai rua hei kōhanga, kua mau ki te whakatipu ki ngā tāhuahua kopī o mua o Whenua Hou. Ko te whakarauora o tēnei momo kua whakanguengue i ngā āhuatanga whakaraerae e mau tonu pērā i te pokanga rama, ā rātou ake pakanga ki a rātou me te hurihuri o te āhuarangi, tae noa atu ki te horonga whenua o te pūrei kōhanga marore nō te marangai, ā nō reira, ka whai hua te kuaka Whenua Hou i te whakatūtanga atu o tētahi taiwhenua hou mā te nukunuku kōhanga. Engari, me whakatipu ngā pīrere ki te ringa ki te wāhi e tū ai te kōhanga hou kia ea ai te nuku kōhanga, ā, kia tautuhi anō tā rātou hiahia ki te hoki atu ki te kāinga i whakatipuria kētia rātou. I āta mārama mātou ki te whakamātautau o te whakatipu ā-ringa me te nukunuku kōhanga o te kuaka Whenua Hou kia whakarite ai ki te nukunukunga tūturu e haere ake nei. I nuku kia ngahuru ngā pīpī kuaka Whenua Hou mai i ngā rua i whānau mai ai rātou ki ētahi kōhanga hanga i whakatūria ki muri i te taiwhenua matua, ā, i whakatipuria rātou ki te ringa ki ētahi kai ake o te hārini penupenu. I whai huruhuru pai ngā pīpī katoa, ā, ehara i te rerekē te taumaha o ēnei pīpī i ērā i whakatipuria ki ō rātou ake kōhanga, engari he paku roa ake ngā parirau. I whakamiramira atu ngā tū-āhua i whakamahia i te hiranga o ngā paearu whiri, te whai wāhitanga ki ngā pikinga whakatipu māori kia whakapae tika ai te tikanga whāngai, te whiringa o te kai taioranga me ngā tikanga akuaku mārō. Ka noho tā mātou whakamātautau hei tūāpapa mātauranga ki ngā nukunukunga kōhanga e haere ake nei, me te whakatūtanga o ētahi taiwhenua hou mō ngā kuaka Whenua Hou.

Abstract: Captive facilities across New Zealand strive to mimic natural conditions for captive animals as closely as possible. In the case of the kiwi (Apteryx spp.), captive habitats are augmented with natural stimuli such as soils, leaf litter, bark, plants, logs, and mosses. Interaction with these introduced stimuli has been shown to encourage normal foraging behaviour and is speculated to aid in inoculating young animals with healthy microbial communities. However, introducing non-sterile natural stimuli into the captive environment also carries the risk of exposing kiwi to diseases such as aspergillosis, coccidiosis, and candidiasis. Aspergillosis is of particular concern to rearing facilities – the disease is most commonly attributed to exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus, an opportunistic fungal pathogen. Here we present a PCR-based screen to qualitatively detect the presence and/or absence of A. fumigatus in soils. Soil samples collected from nesting sites of rowi (Ōkārito brown kiwi, Apteryx rowi) in the Ōkārito region of the West Coast were screened for A. fumigatus using a species-specific primer set coupled with a basic DNA extraction. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve soil and substrate samples were also screened as a baseline comparison representing captive rearing facilities. Results from the assays showed that the extraction technique was effective at isolating A. fumigatus DNA at detectable levels from a variety of soils, and that Ōkārito soils did not harbour a higher abundance of A. fumigatus than those found at Willowbank. This preliminary screening method could be used by facilities in New Zealand to quickly and cheaply screen soils and substrates for A. fumigatus before introducing them to captive enclosures.

Abstract: There is limited information available on how New Zealand wetland bird communities respond to removal of mammalian predators, and reintroduction of locally extinct species. The forested Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne sanctuary in Wellington is surrounded by a mammal predator-exclusion fence, and contains two small lakes (2.7 and 1.1 ha). Counts of all visible wetland bird species were used to assess changes in the Zealandia wetland bird community over 28 years. This included a 3-year block of counts before the fence was built in 1999. Flocks of up to 143 southern black-backed gulls (karoro, Larus dominicanus) bathed on the larger lake before the catchment was opened to the public after 1999. Brown teal (pāteke, Anas chlorotis) and New Zealand scaup (pāpango, Aythya novaeseelandiae) both established resident breeding populations following releases of captive-reared birds between 2000 and 2003. Little shag (kawaupaka, Microcarbo melanoleucos), black shag (māpunga, Phalacrocorax carbo) and pied shag (kāruhiruhi, P. varius) all colonised naturally, and started breeding in 2003, 2008, and 2009 respectively. Paradise shelducks (pūtangitangi, Tadorna variegata) increased after the sanctuary was created, although numbers remained small (mean counts of c. 5 birds). Numbers of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) were unaffected by creation of the sanctuary; however, there was an unexplained decline after 2016. Overall, the wetland bird community in Zealandia has become more diverse over time, and with a higher proportion of native and endemic species. However, we suggest that some of these changes (particularly the establishment of a large breeding colony of pied shags) might well have occurred even if the sanctuary had not been created.