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The decline of North Island Weka ( Gallirallus australis greyi ) at Parekura Bay, Bay of Islands

  • Publication Type

    Journal Article

  • Publication Year

    1998

  • Author(s)

    A.J. Beauchamp; B.V. Berkum; M.J. Closs

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    45, 1

  • Pagination

    31-43

  • Article Type

    paper

Keywords

decline; Gallirallus australis greyi; North Island Weka


The decline of North Island Weka ( Gallirallus australis greyi ) at Parekura Bay, Bay of Islands

Notornis, 45 (1), 31-43

A.J. Beauchamp; B.V. Berkum; M.J. Closs (1998)

Article Type: paper

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The North Island Weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) population at Parekura Bay was monitored in 1991-95, during a long dry El Nino event. Adult Weka had declined from ~400, in February 1987 (Beauchamp 1988), to 47-63 Weka in Parekura Bay and Whangamumu areas in June 1991. By March 1995 there were only three Weka left there. Enhanced production of young Weka was insufficient to prevent decline. Known mortality factors were road kills, Timms traps and dogs and stoats. Throughout the study the population lacked females. A “crowing call” by males was identified as associated with mate loss and mate finding.