Mobile Menu Open Mobile Menu Close
back back back

Publications Archive

Search by:

The skuas

Notornis, 39 (3), 236-237

J.F. Cockrem (1992)

Article Type: Book Review

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1989, and a review of Pelecanoides urinatrix, Phaethon rubricauda, P. lepturus and Fregata ariel recoveries, 1943 to 1988

Notornis, 39 (2), 101-111

R.G. Powlesland; C.R. Pickard; M.H. Powlesland (1992)

Article Type: Paper

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.

The sparrows

Notornis, 39 (3), 237-237

J.F. Cockrem (1992)

Article Type: Book Review

Distribution, numbers, and habitat of bristle-thighed curlews (Numenius tahitiensis) on Rangiroa atoll

Notornis, 39 (1), 17-26

R.E. Gill Jr; R.L. Redmond (1992)

Article Type: Paper

We assessed the numbers, distribution, and habitat of bristle-thighed curlews (Numenius 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.

Nature red in claw: how and why starlings kill each other

Notornis, 39 (4), 293-300

J.E.C. Flux; M.M. Flux (1992)

Article Type: Paper

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.

Notes on the seabirds of the Cape Horn islands

Notornis, 39 (2), 133-144

G.S. Clark; A.N. Cowan; P. Harrison; W.R.P. Bourne (1992)

Article Type: Paper

Observations of seabirds during two visits in the yacht Totorore 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 (Pachyptila 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.
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 88
  6. 89
  7. 90
  8. 91
  9. 92
  10. 93
  11. 94
  12. ...
  13. 279