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Responses of Harriers in the MacKenzie Basin to the abundance of Rabbits

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    1989

  • Author(s)

    R.J. Pierce; R.F. Maloney

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    36, 1

  • Pagination

    1-12

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

Harrier; rabbits


Responses of Harriers in the MacKenzie Basin to the abundance of Rabbits

Notornis, 36 (1), 1-12

R.J. Pierce; R.F. Maloney (1989)

Article Type: Paper

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Harrier diet and population dynamics were studied at Tekapo River in 1985 and 1986, and stomach contents were analysed from 239 specimens collected in the Cass Valley in 1983-85.  Harriers in both study areas fed mainly on rabbits, including young live rabbits and carrion. Local changes in rabbit abundance led to changes in the distribution and numbers of harriers. Immature harriers were mainly transients and responded to changes in rabbit numbers more than adults did. When rabbits were scarce, the resident harriers fed more on alternative prey. such as skinks, but there was no corresponding increase in the numbers of birds eaten. Males fed on alternative prey more than females did. Males were outnumbered by females in the study area with lower prey diversity.