Understanding the drivers for the seasonal movements of kea at landscape scales is critical to their conservation. Recent developments and increasing use of Global Positioning System (GPS) trackers prompted a small-scale trial on kea (Nestor notabilis) in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park during October 2021 to February 2022. We attached a solar charged Druid Debut Lego™ tracker to four birds: two nesting females, a juvenile male and a recently fledged male. One tracker, with a raised solar panel, transmitted data by 3G cell phone network and the others sent data by 2G GSM cell phone network. The two trackers with raised solar panels collected and transmitted substantially more data than the flush-mounted solar panels. Location data was mapped, and elevation, distances travelled, 24-hour movement patterns and activity behaviour were analysed. The limitations of these GPS trackers are discussed, and recommendations are made for future use of GPS trackers on kea where topographic shading, power consumption, satellite reception, and data transmission are likely to remain significant challenges.
The Auckland Domain is the city’s oldest park and contains over 70 ha of contiguous, mature urban forest. Five-minute bird counts were made across one year within the domain forest in 2019 and 2020 and compared with counts conducted in 1987 and 1988, using the same methods and at the same survey sites, to investigate changes in the structure of the urban bird community. The abundance and species richness of native and introduced birds increased between the count years and there was structural change within the community driven by increases in the abundance of forest-adapted endemic species, tūī Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae, grey warbler Gerygone igata, and kererū Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae, and declines in generalist native species, silvereye Zosterops lateralis and fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa. Tūī showed the most profound increase in abundance between count years, reflecting regional conservation management of mainland and island forest habitats that benefit this highly mobile species. Increased abundance of eastern rosella Platycercus eximius and common myna Acridotheres tristis also altered community structure between count years, indicative of ongoing colonisation by these exotic species in the Auckland region since their introduction to the North Island. The fact that both these species compete with native taxa for nest cavities within forests is of concern. Our results reinforce the need to manage and protect maturing urban forests to enhance native bird populations. Such actions will also support the recovery of native bird populations at a landscape scale.
Birds collected and reported by the Austrian Novara Expedition while in northern New Zealand in December 1858 and January 1859 are described. These included birds collected at sea east of Northland and Auckland, and birds seen and collected between the Auckland isthmus and Waikato River during 18 days that SMS Novara was at Auckland. Notable records include the earliest known specimen of Pycroft’s petrel (Pterodroma pycrofti), and the earliest record of Kermadec petrel (Pt. neglecta) from near the New Zealand mainland. Scientists from the Novara encountered many species that are now rare or absent near Auckland city and northern Waikato, including brown teal (Anas chlorotis), long-tailed cuckoo (Eudynamys taitensis), New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae), kākā (Nestor meridionalis), red-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae), yellow-crowned parakeet (C. auriceps), bellbird (Anthornis melanura), whitehead (Mohoua albicilla), and North Island robin (Petroica longipes), and possibly also North Island saddleback (Philesturnus rufusater) and the extinct North Island piopio (Turnagra tanagra). Other specimens obtained in Auckland (of uncertain provenance) included North Island kokako (Callaeas wilsoni) and hihi (Notiomystis cincta). All these species became much scarcer or extinct following the introduction of ship rats (Rattus rattus) and stoats (Mustela ermina) and other mammalian predators to New Zealand after 1859.
The Cook Islands are a scattered group of mainly inhabited tropical islands in the South Pacific Ocean. We provide a comprehensive review of petrel and shearwater (Oceanitidae and Procellariidae) records for the Cook Islands. Records include new fossil and subfossil records; however, the focus is on specimen records and observations made on land since 1970. Records and observations comprise details of 13 species of seabirds within the order Procellariiformes, from the Northern and Southern Groups, Cook Islands. This paper includes extensions to the breeding ranges of some Procellariiformes within the South Pacific Ocean. Significant new records include confirmation of Herald petrel (Pterodroma heraldica) breeding on Rarotonga, and the suspected breeding of black-winged petrel (P. nigripennis) on Ātiu, wedge-tailed shearwater (Ardenna pacifica) on Aitutaki, and tropical shearwater (Puffinus dichrous) on Mangaia. A thorough field survey across all islands needs to be conducted to determine more completely the breeding status and distribution of these species, and to potentially locate other species. We recommend surveys using a range of methods to determine the breeding status of species in the Cook Islands and, importantly, developing local capacity towards improving conservation efforts to protect Procellariiformes, including urgent predator control at some locations on Rarotonga.
Many aspects of the ecology of the endemic variable oystercatcher (Haematopus unicolor) have not been studied in detail. We colour-banded and monitored a population of the species in a study area between 36°S and 37°S on the east coast of the North Island, New Zealand. Monitoring was intensive during the breeding season from 1994/95 to 1998/99, during which time we gathered information on timing of breeding, chick growth, and productivity. We also recorded measurements of adult birds and eggs. Laying of first clutches was protracted and extended from early September to mid-December. Chicks fledged at lower weights than adults and with shorter total head length and wing, but with tarsus and mid-toe within the adult range. Productivity at four core breeding sites within our study area averaged 0.42 chicks fledged per pair per year. Juveniles commonly remained with their parents on their natal territory during their first winter. From 1999, monitoring was less intensive as we continued collecting data on dispersal, age at first breeding, survival, and pair-bond retention. Natal dispersal values ranged from 0–109 km, with most birds breeding within 60 km of their natal site. As with many oystercatcher species, maturity is delayed, and birds in our study area first bred at between 4 and 8 years of age. There was a high level of mate-fidelity, with one pair-bond lasting 16 consecutive years, but divorce was not uncommon. Once established on a territory, adults were highly sedentary. Annual survival rates of adults and pre-breeders were very high, and the local population had the capacity to grow by about 5% per year. Birds breeding at low-lying sites often lost nests to flooding, and this threat is almost certain to be exacerbated by ongoing climate change.
Shorebird nest outcomes can be affected by factors such as predation, human disturbance, and habitat characteristics. Over two breeding seasons between 2022–2024, we monitored the hatching success of banded dotterels (Anarhynchus bicinctus), southern black-backed gulls (SBBGs) (Larus dominicanus), black-fronted terns (Chlidonias albostriatus), pied stilts (Himantopus leucocephalus), and variable oystercatchers (Haematopus unicolor) at the Ashley River estuary, New Zealand, and compared these values to those in the literature. We also recorded habitat variables at the nest sites of the two species with the largest sample sizes: banded dotterels and SBBGs. Hatching success was lowest for black-fronted terns and highest for SBBGs. Overall, failure was predominantly due to predation and flooding. SBBG hatching success was unrelated to the measured nest site variables but may have been influenced by seasonal changes, with earlier nests appearing more successful. Banded dotterel nests that were closer to water appeared to be more successful, as did nests in the first year of the study. Cats (Felis domesticus) were recorded depredating banded dotterel nests, highlighting the importance of monitoring and controlling invasive species to protect native birds in New Zealand’s estuaries.
A total of 15,694 black-billed gulls (tarāpuka, Chroicocephalus bulleri) chicks were banded at six braided gravel-bed rivers in North Canterbury, New Zealand, from 1958 to 1983, and at least 1,754 later sightings of dead or alive birds were reported to the Banding Office. The main banding sites were the Ashley River and its major tributary, the Ōkūkū River; other banding was carried out on the Kowhai River near Kaikoura, Conway River, Waiau River, Waipara River, and Waimakariri River. Colonies typically shifted location between years, as flooding and weed growth affected the habitat and suitability for nesting. Up to 6 colonies were found on the Ashley River system in a season. Average size of all colonies was about 230 nests, with the largest reaching about 800 nests. Some birds were found at rivers apart from their natal rivers. Birds bred when as young as 2-years-old. The furthest sighting was at Firth of Thames, 736 km NE of the banding site; the southernmost was at Waipahi, Otago, 412 km SW of the banding site; and the oldest recovery was 22.1 years after banding. Band loss likely affected recovery rates, as the oldest bird found with an aluminium band was only 10.9 years-old.
Rapa Island, located in Eastern Polynesia, hosts 12 species of breeding seabirds, now primarily found on its ten peripheral islets. These seabirds face various threats, such as invasive mammals that prey on eggs and chicks, as well as invasive plants that encroach upon and degrade their breeding habitats. Major island restoration projects are currently underway on several islets, focusing on the removal of invasive mammals and plants. We present data collected here between 2017 and 2024 and, together with published and unpublished surveys since 1921, compile details on the distribution, population, and breeding seasons of these seabird species.
This paper describes North Island kokako (Callaeas wilsoni) recovery actions and outcomes since 2000 at 11 sites with relict populations, and at 12 other mainland and three offshore island sites to where they have been translocated. Populations are now secure on pest-free Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island and Kapiti Island, and Tiritiri Matangi Island is a valuable advocacy site. Maungatautari is a large (3,300 ha) pest-fenced and pest-free site that has demonstrated rapid kōkako recovery. All other sites are unfenced and require ongoing control of key pests. The national total of kōkako pairs has increased from c. 458 in 2000 to c. 2,327 in 2023; however, latest counts indicate populations at seven sites have declined. Future kōkako recovery will be assisted most by improved, large-scale pest control tools for unfenced mainland sites, and by sustained effective pest control in large key relict populations (Pureora, Te Urewera, Rotoehu, Mapara, and Mokaihaha).
Te Araroa Trail runs for more than 3,200 km between Cape Reinga and Bluff, along the length of Aotearoa New Zealand’s two main islands. All birds seen and heard along the trail during the austral summer were counted in 1,720 contiguous transects during 124 days of walking from north to south between 2 November 2023 and 11 March 2024 (84.7% of transects were 2 km long). A total of 106,207 birds of 107 species were counted during daylight transects, at a mean encounter rate of 32.6 individuals per km. The highest counts were for house sparrow (Passer domesticus – 12,517 birds), chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs – 5,806), and red-billed gull (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae – 5,427). The species recorded most frequently were chaffinch (62.3% of transects), silvereye (Zosterops lateralis – 58.5%), and Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula – 56.7%). Bird communities are summarised and compared for 19 sections covering the entirety of the trail, providing a baseline for comparisons within regions and over time. Northern and/or southern limits are presented for 30 species with restricted distributions. Comparison of counts along sections of the trail that were trapped (233 km, including 22.4% of forest) with counts from untrapped forest sections revealed that tūī (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), kererū (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae), and New Zealand fantails (Rhipidura fuliginosa) were more abundant where predator control was undertaken. Twenty of the fantails seen in the South Island were black morph (5.6%), with the remaining 339 (94.4%) pied morph, indicating that the proportion of black morph birds has been stable over the past two decades. In addition to describing bird communities likely to be encountered on different sections of Te Araroa Trail, this account (and the dataset it is based on) provides a baseline for comparing New Zealand bird communities over time and space.
A colony of the Nationally Vulnerable Hutton’s shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) was established by translocations to Te Rae o Atiu, Kaikōura Peninsula from 2005. Weekly observer visits to the wooden nestboxes, and records from passive integrated transponder readers, provided detailed records of breeding activity. Birds visited many nestboxes in a season, with up to 29 birds recorded at one nestbox, and one bird recorded at 23 nestboxes. Breeding started at 4 years for males and 5 years for females. The pre-laying exodus by females averaged 11.8 days; however, there were instances of birds making up to three brief visits back to the colony. Egg laying was usually on the night of arrival back from the pre-laying exodus, and was asynchronous — average 6 November, but as late as 25 December. There were seven instances of two eggs being found in a nestbox in one season, with evidence of relaying in at least one case. The average hatching date was 13 December, incubation averaged 52 days, with a mean hatching success of 58%. Fledgling period was 87 days on average, with a mean success of 88%, resulting in mean productivity of 52%. Chicks left nestboxes on average 8 nights before fledging, before their first migration to Australian waters. Adults stopped visiting the nestboxes on average 17 days before their chicks fledged for females and 8 days for males. Fledging mass averaged 415 g, 75% of the mean peak mass of 550 g. Single parents successfully fledged a chick when the mate was lost or ceased visiting for up to 71 days before fledging, and a light mass chick (310 g) returned to Te Rae o Atiu and paired up. Divorce occurred in 36% of pairings that did not end with the loss of a partner; 87% of birds had at least one divorce, and one bird lost one mate and divorced six times in 13 years. Nestbox fidelity showed changes by many pairs, especially if there has been a change of partner.