Notornis, 44 (2), 109-110
Article Type: short note
Notornis, 44 (2), 109-110
Article Type: short note
OSNZ News, 82 (),
Article Type: Magazine
Notornis, 44 (4), 253-258
Article Type: paper
In the 1980’s Little Spotted Kiwi (Apteryx owenii) were transferred to Long, Red Mercury and Hen Islands to establish new populations beyond their stronghold on Kapiti Island. Recent surveys indicate that all three populations are increasing at between 4% and 8% per annum. Recently, a fifth population has been established successfully on Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf, and has grown at a rate of about 11% per annum. Little spotted Kiwi now appear to be secure with five viable populations on predator-free islands. Aerial poisoning of rats using brodifacoum baits does not appear to have had any long-term adverse effect on the populations of Little Spotted Kiwi on Red Mercury and Tiritiri Matangi Islands.
Notornis, 44 (1), 26-26
Article Type: short note
Notornis, 44 (3), 171-173
Article Type: short note
Notornis, 43 (2), 91-112
Article Type: paper
The Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus) is now confined to New Zealand offshore islands free of the introduced carnivorous mammals, i.e. rats, feral cats and mustelids, which are assumed to have exterminated the species on the mainland during the last century. The North Island Saddleback (Philesturnus carunculatus rufusater) coexists with the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) while the South Island Saddleback (P c. carunculatus) thrives only on rat-free islands. An experimental transfer to Kapiti island, where Norway (R. norvegicus) and Polynesian rats occur, provided an opportunity to test the hypothesis that North Island Saddlebacks could coexist with both rat species. I compared the survival of Saddlebacks on Kapiti Island wlth that on Cuvier and Little Barrier Islands where the only rodent is R. exulans. On Kapiti Island, Saddlebacks suffered high mortality, and despite high productivity, there was insufficient recruitment of young to balance losses of adults. Significantly more nests sited less than one metre above the ground were preyed on by rats on Kapiti Island than on Cuvier and Little Barrier Islands. Saddlebacks on Kapiti Island which roosted in high or secure cavities survived longer than those birds which roosted in low or vulnerable places. These observations are consistent with the ground-foraging and predatory behaviour of R. norvegicus. On Kapiti Island, 21 rat-killed birds were found at nests and roosts, whereas no rat-killed birds were found at nests and roosts on Cuvier and Little Barrier Islands, although the contents of some nests were preyed on by R. exulans. On Kapiti Island, R. norvegicus faeces were found with the remains of several dead birds, providing direct evidence that this rat was the predator. The poor survival and recruitment of Saddlebacks on Kapiti Island, coupled with observations of rat-killed birds and plundered nests near the ground, suggest that Saddlebacks are unable to coexist with both rat species, and that R. norvegicus is probably an important predator. The cavity nesting and roosting habits of the Saddleback make this species especially vulnerable to mammalian predators.
OSNZ News, 81 (),
Article Type: Magazine
Notornis, 43 (1), 35-42
Article Type: paper
In October-November 1992 the island of Mangaia, Cook Islands, was surveyed for Tanga’eo (Halcyon tuta ruficollaris). The Tanga’eo was found to be primarily a forest bird, preferring continuous forest canopy. Its abundance was influenced by forest type, extent, and degree of habitat modification. A number of potential threats to the survival of Tanga’eo were identified including habitat loss and disturbance by Common Mynas (Acridotheres tristis). A brief survey of rodents was carried out. Although the Tanga’eo population was estimated to have been between 250 and 450 birds, low numbers of birds in apparently suitable forest in the southwest of Mangaia indicate that further research is needed to determine population trends and conservation requirements.
Notornis, 43 (3), 163-164
Article Type: obituary
Notornis, 43 (2), 113-114
Article Type: short note
OSNZ News, 80 (),
Article Type: Magazine
Notornis, 43 (1), 43-48
Article Type: Paper
Notornis, 43 (3), 159-160
Article Type: Book Review
Notornis, 43 (2), 71-78
Article Type:
OSNZ News, 79 (),
Article Type: Magazine
Notornis, 43 (4), 212-213
Article Type: short note
Notornis, 43 (1), 14-18
Article Type: short note
Notornis, 43 (3), 160-161
Article Type: book review
Notornis, 43 (2), 79-84
Article Type: short note
OSNZ News, 78 (),
Article Type: Magazine