Publications Archive

Four surveys for Kokako were conducted in the Hunua Range between November 1986 and May 1988, by playing tapes of the local song dialect. Three of the four surveys were done in conjunction with the Auckland and South Auckland branches of the Ornithological Society of New Zealand. Forty Kokako were recorded, of which 12 were definitely in pairs, one was a definite juvenile and another a possible juvenile. Some of the remaining 26 were likely to have been paired. Thirty-eight birds were recorded in tawa-podocarp forest and two in adjacent second-growth scrub. The 40 birds ranged in altitude between 300 and 660 m ad. with an average of 490 m. They were distributed in the following catchments: Mangatangi (20 birds), Mangatawi (12), Orere (5), Tapapakanga (2) and Hauarahi (1). Most records were of birds heard rather than seen, and tape responses were low compared with those in surveys elsewhere. Comparisons are made with past surveys and survey techniques, and the discussion includes options for forest management in the Hunua Range.Ecology Division, DSZR, c/- Bulk Water Department, ARC, Private Bag, Auckland

The osteology of the New Zealand genera Mohoua and Finschia shows that they are definitely not referable to the Pachycephalinae or any other group within the corvine assemblage. This is in contrast to Sibley and Ahlquist’s original interpretation of their DNA-DNA hybridization studies and supports a recent reanalysis of that data by critics, who concluded that these genera belong among the “Passerida”. Within that group, the relationships of Finschia and Mohoua remain uncertain. No osteological basis could be found for continuing to separate the genus Finschia from Mohoua. The three species in the expanded genus Mohoua show increasing specialization for use of the hindlimb in foraging and in order of most primitive to most derived should be listed as M. novaeseelandiae, M. albicilla, and M. ochrocephala. The last two species are very distinct from one another osteologically and are not to be regarded as subspecies of a single species.

Between April 1985 and March 1987, standardised shipboard censuses were conducted during 23 monthly transects from shore to well beyond the continental shelf. The average transect distance was 66 km and maximum depth 4200 m. Twelve (probably 13) species and 231 1 birds were recorded. Regular petrels (listed in descending percentage abundance) had zonal and seasonal distributions as follows: Pterodroma macroptera (5O%), pelagic, spring and summer; P. solandri (24%), pelagic, autumn, winter and spring; Daption capense (16%), neritic, winter and spring; Macronectes spp. (5%), marginally neritic, winter and spring; small Pterodroma spp. (“Cookilaria”) (4%), pelagic, summer and autumn; P. lessonii (1%), pelagic, autumn, winter and spring. Petrels rarely observed were Fulmarus glacialoides (l), Pterodroma neglecta (31), Procellaria parkinsoni (4) and Pseudobulweria rostrata (1). Temperature preferences, morphological characters, behaviour and breeding status are discussed. The 200 + “Cookilaria” observed during two cruises in April 1985 may have been associated with a slope-water intrusion generated by the East Australian Current.

Mixed-species flocks of insectivorous birds were investigated at Kowhai Bush, Kaikoura, in monthly transect counts between July 1986 and June 1988. Four native species (Brown Creeper, Silvereye, Greg Warbler and Fantail) and two introduced species (Chaffinch and Redpoll) foraged in mixed flocks. Brown Creepers and Silvereyes appeared to behave as nuclear species by determining the direction of movement of mixed flocks. Mixed flocks were found throughout the day. The mean number of species per flock was 2.5 and the mean number of birds in flocks was 8.5. Mixed flocks were seasonal with none encountered during the main breeding period (Sep-Dec).

We give weights and measurements of 16 species of birds mist-netted in forest on Little Barrier Island, including 67 Whiteheads (Mohoua albicilla) and 111 Stitchbirds (Notiomystis cincta). The following criteria for distinguishing sexes were established. Female Whiteheads weighed up to 15.9 g and males weighed 16.1 g or more. Most female Stitchbirds had wings up to 92 mm long and most males had wings 95 mm or longer. Incidental observations of moult, ectoparasites and movements are recorded.

The Adélie Penguin and Antarctic Skua breed at Cape Bird, and nine other species have been recorded as visitors (Emperor Penguin, Chinstrap Penguin, Southern Giant Petrel, Antarctic Fulmar, Antarctic Petrel, Snow Petrel, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, Southern Great Skua, and Southern Black-backed Gull). Fewer birds were recorded as visitors at Cape Bird than have been recorded at Capes Crozier and Royds, possibly because Cape Bird gets less wind.

Post-moult dispersal of Paradise Shelducks (Tadorna variegata) in the Wanganui district was examined during 1987 and 1988 from hunting season band recoveries. Birds were banded at five locations, two coastal (Lakes Waipu and Marahau) and three hill country (Kakatahi, Parihauhau, and Mangamahu). Birds banded at different sites dispersed differently, with birds banded at the two coastal sites and Parihauhau more dispersive than those banded at Kakatahi and Mangamahu. Males dispersed more widely than females. Band recoveries were clustered into two separate groups, those from Kakatahi and Mangamahu, and a group comprising birds banded at coastal moulting sites and at Parihauhau. Coastal areas accounted for more than 70% of the hunting effort in the 1987 and 1988 hunting seasons, and it is suggested that the two groups of moulting birds be managed as separate population units.

The results of monitoring changes in Cattle Egret numbers in New Zealand and eastern Australia, recovery records for long-distance movements of marked birds from colonies in eastern Australia, and records for wing-tagged and colour-banded birds in the Hunter Valley of NSW indicate that a pattern of movement from the colonies occurs in waves in a south to south-easterly direction to Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand during autumn and a return in spring. This movement can be described as migration. Although there is some circumstantial evidence, there is no confirmation that the same birds travel the same routes to the same destination each year. In the wintering areas they tend to restrict their activities to well-defined local territories. Significant numbers of birds remain in their natal area, however, where they may move relatively little, restricting foraging to a very limited local area for long periods, or be somewhat nomadic within a restricted region.

Please note:  This newsletter is a Supplement to Volume 37 (4) of Notornis, not a Supplement to Volume 37 (3) as shown on the cover page. We apologise for this error.