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A video camera assessment of morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) diet and breeding success on Tiritiri Matangi Island

  • Publication Type

    Journal

  • Publication Year

    2018

  • Author(s)

    S.A. Busbridge; J.R. Stewart

  • Journal Name

    Notornis

  • Volume, Issue

    65, 4

  • Pagination

    187-195

  • Article Type

    Paper

Keywords

breeding biology; dietary composition; island conservation; morepork; Ninox novaeseelandiae; ruru; Tiritiri Matangi Island


A video camera assessment of morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae) diet and breeding success on Tiritiri Matangi Island

Notornis, 65 (4), 187-195

S.A. Busbridge; J.R. Stewart (2018)

Article Type: Paper

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An observational study on the diet and breeding success of morepork (ruru; Ninox novaeseelandiae) was undertaken using video capture methods during the 2016-2017 breeding season on Tiritiri Matangi Island. The study investigated diet composition, frequency of prey deliveries, timing and frequency of chick provisioning, the behaviour of morepork and their young at 10 nest sites, and considered the possibility that morepork predation was having a negative impact on species of conservation importance. Tree wētā (Hemideina spp.) were found to be the most common prey type consumed at nest sites. Evidence of predation of bird species of conservation importance including stitchbird (hihi; Notiomystis cincta) was also found. Prey species continue to exhibit positive population growth rates, indicating predation rates are too low to have a significant destabilizing effect. However, as the population of moreporks has also grown, it is recommended that their impact on prey species be monitored.