Publications Archive

In 1989, 4194 kilometres of coast of New Zealand were patrolled and 8221 dead seabirds were found as part of the Beach Patrol Scheme. Unusual finds were a Snares Crested Penguin (Eudyptes robustus), two White-capped Noddies (Anous tenuirostris minutus) and a Brown Booby (Sula serrator leucogaster). A summary is given of the coastal and monthly distributions of Pelecanoides, Phaethon and Fregata species found during the 1943-1988 period. Overall, 11 472 Pelecanoides urinatrix were found, but 10 or fewer of the other three species were found.

We assessed the numbers, distribution, and habitat of Bristle-tithed Curlews (Numinous tahitiensis) on Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, during a visit in April 1988. We estimated a total of 250-350 curlews on the atoll. These birds were seen only on the southern and western rims, where they were most common on (1) saltpans within clusters of small islets and (2) narrow channels between islets that were bordered by shrubs and herb mats. The distribution of curlews on Rangiroa appeared to be determined by the distribution of humans and their commensal animals and by the availability of habitats. Given the species’ relatively low numbers, low reproductive rate, and prebasic moult which, for some adults, entails a flightless period, conservation and management efforts must begin on the non-breeding grounds. These efforts should focus on reducing or eliminating potential mortality factors such as subsistence harvest, introduced predators, and contaminants. Countries throughout the species’ non-breeding range are encouraged to be active in these efforts.

In a 20-year nest box study of Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) in New Zealand, intraspecific fighting was the main mortality factor recorded. All fights were between birds of the same sex, 24 male-male and 22 female-female, and most were in the breeding season. Fighting increased as the population rose from about 300 birds in 1969 to over 3000 after 1978. Because of the low annual mortality rate of Starlings in New Zealand (330/0), the chances of ever breeding were small for many birds. Hence conditions were ideal for a high level of fatal fighting, which took the form of grasping the opponent round the head so that the claws penetrated the brain through the eye sockets.

Observations of seabirds during two visits in the yacht Towrore to the southern extremity of South America in the summer and autumn of 1984 and 1985 are summarised with comments on their status in South America. Rockhopper and Macaroni Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome and E. chrysolophus) are commoner than in the past, but larger penguins were not found breeding and may be more vulnerable since penguins still appear to be taken for bait. Chile holds about a sixth of the world’s breeding Black-browed Mollymawks (Diomedea melanophrys), a tenth of the Grey-headed Mollymawks (D. chrysostoma), many Blue Petrels (Halobaena caerulea) and Narrow-billed Prions (Pachvptila belcheri), and some Southern Giant Petrels (Macronectes giganteus). The White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) probably breeds, and possibly the Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur), collected in the past, and Antarctic Cormorant (Leucocarbo bransfieldensis). The first Manx Shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) for Chile were also seen in the Magellan Strait and near Cape Horn.

This paper presents bird records from the Kingdom of Tonga which do not fit into other publications about the extensive field work of the Brehm Fund South Seas Expedition. Results of the first ornithological survey of the small island of ‘Eua’iki are presented. Most remarkably, this island has small numbers of Vini australis and Clytorhynchus vitiensis, which became extinct on ‘Eua and Tongatapu at the end of the 19th century. Other new distribution records for C. vitiensis are presented, and the record of its distribution in Tonga is revised. Its absence from the larger islands in southern Tonga is a result of human disturbance, most likely the introduction of Rattus rattus, while in the Vava’u group, competitive exclusion by Pachycephala jacquinoti may be the reason. Hirundo tahitica is now known from many locations. Breeding colonies seem to exist on Tofua and Nomuka, and a breeding population is probably establishing on ‘Eua. A few new data are added to the sparse knowledge about Pachycephala jacquinoti. Ardea novaehollandiae was recorded again from Tongatapu and Circus approximans for the first time from Tongatapu and Niuafo’ou. Records of Prosopeia tabuensis from Tongatapu and two of its offshore islands are given, and some remarkable changes in behaviour of Porphyrio porphyrio on small islands are reported. The brown female morph of Gallicolumba stairii, which has been known from Fiji and Samoa, is also in Tonga. An unidentified storm petrel has been seen close to Tongatapu. Breeding has been confirmed for Pterodroma nigripennis and Sterna sumatrana on several islands in the Tongatapu group. Some new breeding records for noddies (Anous spp.) on islands off Tongatapu are presented. Observations of Procelsterna cerulea on ‘Eua suggest that the species breeds in the cliffs of the east coast. Sterna anaetheta certainly breeds in cliffs on the southern coast of Tongatapu. The discovery of new breeding colonies of Pterodroma nigripennis supports the hypothesis that the species is extending its range. Blue-crowned Lorikeets and Fiji Shrikebills have been isolated on ‘Eua’iki for more than a century. These populations, and others, are very small (fewer than 100 birds each). Their size and long isolation call into question the concept of Minimum Viable Populations.