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Food of the kingfisher during nesting

Notornis, 33 (1), 23-32

B.M. Fitzgerald; M.J. Meads; A.H. Whitaker (1986)

Article Type: Paper

Food of kingfishers (Halcyon sancta) in forest in the Orongorongo Valley, near Wellington, was identified from remains in pellets ejected by nestlings at four nests and from pellets and droppings of birds caught in mist-nets. Food items included a wide variety of invertebrates, with cicadas, dragonflies and chafers especially important. Lizards, small birds and mice were also important. The lizards identified were the forest gecko and common skink, and the small birds were the rifleman, grey warbler and silvereye.  Kingfishers were absent from the study area from June to September; it is suggested that the seasonal movements of kingfishers are related to changes in the availability of food.

Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1984 and a review of fulmar recoveries since 1960

Notornis, 33 (3), 171-184

R.G. Powlesland (1986)

Article Type: Paper

In 1984, 5076 kilometres of coast were patrolled and 14223 dead seabirds were found. A new species for the Beach Patrol Scheme was a bird of providence (Pterodroma solandri). Four species found in greater numbers in 1984 than previously were the black petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni), white-faced storm petrel (Pelagodroma marina), Australasian gannet (Sula bassana) and pied shag (Phalacrocorax varius). A wreck of mainly Kerguelen petrels (Lugensa brevirostris), blue petrels (Halobaena caerulea) and fairy prions (Pachyptila turtur) occurred in August along the western coast and the northern half of the eastern coast of the North Island. A summary is given of the coastal and monthly distributions for each of four genera of fulmar (Macronectes, Fulmarus, Thalassoica and Daption) found during the 1960-1983 period. The most frequently found fulmar was the Antarctic fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides), a consequence of wrecks numbering hundreds of birds in 1975 and 1978.

Breeding displays and calls of the banded dotterel (Charadrius bicinctus)

Notornis, 33 (4), 219-232

M. Bomford (1986)

Article Type: Paper

Described are the banded dotterel’s threat display and call, used by either sex to defend the territory; wing-clicking flight display, used by the male to advertise territorial ownership; scrape display used by the male to entice the female to inspect the nest scrape; coition and associated display; changeover display given at the nest by either sex during incubation; displays used by parents to call chicks for brooding; and distraction displays and alarm calls given when predators approach the nest or chicks.

Seasonal and diurnal time budgets and feeding intensity of the white-faced heron in pasture

Notornis, 33 (4), 233-245

P.L. Lo; R.A. Fordham (1986)

Article Type: Paper

Time-activity budgets and feeding rates were compiled for white-faced herons (Ardea novaehollandiae) on pasture near Pukepuke Lagoon, Manawatu, from March 1980 to February 1981. Indices of the hourly strike, catch and step rates were calculated. The direction of the bill during strikes was recorded to indicate the kind of prey being hunted. Time spent foraging increased from summer through to spring. Feeding rates were highest in spring, less in summer and winter, and lowest in autumn. Herons fed most actively early and late in the day. Adults were more efficient at foraging than juveniles. Herons spent longer foraging and fed at a faster rate when energy demands were high owing to cool temperatures, breeding or moult, and when more food was available. Areas of pasture in which herons fed, and some that they avoided, were sampled with a sweep net and soil quadrat to determine the seasonal availability of potential prey. Earthworms were most abundant in winter and scarcest in summer, whereas larger insects were common in summer and autumn. Herons fed on whatever prey was most available, taking earthworms in winter and less often in autumn and spring, but concentrating more on insects in summer and autumn.
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