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Effect of topography on seasonal distribution of forest birds in the Ohikanui, Lower Buller and Inangahua Valleys, North Westland

Notornis, 35 (3), 217-243

P.R. Wilson; R.H. Taylor; B.W. Thomas (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Birds were counted in the montane Ohikanui Valley and nearby at the mouth of the Buller Gorge in all four seasons of the year. Counts from these areas are compared with those from three sites previously studied in the much larger and broader Inangahua Valley in the same region. The effect of topographic temperature inversion on the deep and glaciated Ohikanui Valley is reflected in the pattern of vegetation and also in the altitudinal and spatial distribution of the birds. Large differences between the seasonal patterns of occurrence of some species of birds in the Ohikanui and Inangahua Valleys are demonstrated. Reasons for these differences are examined, such as seasonal migration in and out of the Ohikanui Valley for species such as tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), bellbird (Anthornis melanura), and silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) and altitudinal movement by species such as rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris) and grey warbler (Gerygone igata).  The study emphasises the importance of warm, floristically rich, lowland forest for the winter maintenance of honeyeater populations which breed in the montane valleys.

A re-examination of the moa genus Megalapteryx

Notornis, 35 (2), 99-108

T.H. Worthy (1988)

Article Type: Paper

A re-examination of the moa genus Megalapteryx reveals that the two currently accepted species, M. didinus (Owen) and M. benhami Archey, do not differ in the shape of the bones. They represent small and large specimens in an unbroken size continuum. Specimens from northwest Nelson have a larger mean size than those in a sample from Takahe Valley, Fiordland. A series of 14C dates indicates that the largest ‘M. benhami‘ are all of Otiran derivation, whereas M. didinus bones are from Otiran and Holocene deposits. Therefore M. benhami is synonymised with the upland moa, M. didinus (Owen).

Vocalisations of Procellaria petrels

Notornis, 35 (3), 169-183

J. Warham (1988)

Article Type: Paper

The vocal repertoires of grey, white-chinned, Parkinson’s and Westland petrels are compared with the aid of sonagrams. All species have some very loud calls built from short, staccato notes, often given at very high rates to produce rattles, cackles and brays. These appear to advertise the bird’s availability as a partner and/or possession of a territory, but some also seem to serve as threats. Other calls composed of longer notes are produced both when breathing in and when breathing out – as with Puffinus and Calonectris shearwaters. The recorded repertoire of the grey petrel is the smallest, that of the Westland petrel the most extensive. There are indications that in some species there are sexual differences in their calls, but experimental verification is needed to confirm this.

Size variation in the snow petrel Pagodroma nivea

Notornis, 35 (2), 109-116

S. Haftorn; F. Mehlum; C. Bech (1988)

Article Type: Paper

A colony of breeding snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea) in the Muhlig-Hofmann Mountains, Queen Maud Land, on the Antarctic continent was visited in January-February 1985. The birds were nesting under large boulders on the north-faced, ice-free hillside at Svarthamaren (71°53′ S, 5°10′ E), about 200 km from the open sea. The colony was roughly estimated to contain 500 pairs (Mehlum et al. 1985). Hatching took place in mid-January. The snow petrels at Svarthamaren were on average significantly smaller than those breeding elsewhere in the Antarctic. The irregular geographical distribution of breeding birds of varying size does not immediately provide any support for a sub-specific division of the species into one large and one small form, leaving the systematic and evolutionary status of the species unclear. It remains to be established whether inland breeding selects for relatively small birds.

Forest bird communities in Western Samoa

Notornis, 35 (2), 117-128

M. Bellingham; A. Davis (1988)

Article Type: Paper

The birds of Upolu and Savai’i, Western Samoa, were surveyed in August 1984. Birds were counted along a 2 km transect in O le Pupu-Pu’e National Park and 5-minute bird index counts were used in upland and lowland Savai’i. There was a significant difference in the composition and density of bird communities between partly logged and unmodified tava (Pomeria pinnata) forest. The composition of bird communities differed at varying altitudes both in the national park and in Savai’i. There were more species at higher altitudes on Savai’i, and rare species were recorded at only the higher altitudes on Upolu and Savai’i. The relative abundance and occurrence of threatened bird species were noted, and possible sightings of puna’e, the Samoan woodrail, in upland Savai’i were recorded.

Some characteristics of red-crowned parakeets on the Poor Knights Islands

Notornis, 35 (1), 1-8

P.M. Sagar (1988)

Article Type: Paper

Measurements, plumage and moult of red-crowned parakeets (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae novaezelandiae) were recorded during a banding study on Aorangi Island, Poor Knights Islands, between 1978 and 1986. Males were significantly larger than females in all measurements and in weight. Weight varied throughout the year and was highest in May and lowest in November. The weights of males was significantly less during October and November than at other times of the year, but there were no significant variations in the weight of females. More males than females were caught, and recaptures suggested that females had a lower survival rate than males. Two of the 329 parakeets banded had plumage characteristics of red-crowned x yellow-crowned parakeet (Cyanoramphus auriceps auriceps) hybrids. Casual observations indicated that the breeding season extended from late October to January. Most birds were in active moult by late February.
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