Publications Archive - Page 124 of 244

A turnstone – banded dotterel relationship

Notornis, 29 (1), 74

Howell, P.A.G., Harrison, K.C. (1982)

Article Type: Short Note

Sexual dimorphism in snow petrels Pagodroma nivea

Notornis, 29 (3), 171-180

Croxall, J.P. (1982)

Article Type: Paper

By means of data in the literature and a large sample of sexed birds from Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, Snow Petrels (Pagodroma nivea) are shown to be sexually dimorphic in size and especially in body weight and bill length. By these characters alone, over 80% of Signy birds can be correctly sexed. It is suggested that the true status of the so-called large and small forms of the species can best be resolved by comparing birds of known sex and status. The sexual dimorphism in weight in Snow Petrels is amongst the greatest in the Procellariiformes and might relate to the extensive use of vocalisations in individual and sex recognition.

Leach’s storm petrels (Oceanodroma I. leucorhoa) prospecting for nest sites on the Chatham Islands

Notornis, 29 (2), 101-108

Imber, M.J., Lovegrove, T.G. (1982)

Article Type: Paper

In November 1980, two Leach’s Storm Petrels of the typical subspecies (Oceanodroma leucorhoa leucorhoa) were discovered on Rabbit Island, Chatham Islands (44″14′ S, 176″16′ W), engaged in prebreeding activity. They were captured, examined, photographed, banded and released. The flight calling of one was recorded on tape. Their nocturnal activitv continued until observations ceased. A subsequent check indicated that no chick was reared. Possibly they were of the same sex, and possibly there were only two. This is the first record of prospecting for nest sites in the Southern Hemisphere by this strictly Northern Hemisphere breeding species.

Notes on some waders at Vatuwaqa, Suva, Fiji

Notornis, 29 (3), 230-233

Miles, J.A.R. (1982)

Article Type: Short Note

Wood duck in Marlborough

Notornis, 29 (1), 22

Jenkins, P. (1982)

Article Type: Short Note

Food and feeding behaviour of the southern crested grebe on the Ashburton lakes

Notornis, 29 (2), 151-156

O'Donnell, C.F.J. (1982)

Article Type: Paper

The food and feeding behaviour of the Southern Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus australis) were studied on the Ashburton lakes (South Island, New Zealand) in 1979 and 1980. Of 47 food items eaten on the surface by adults, 55.5% were fish, 31.9% were insects and 12.6% were plants. Chicks in their first week ate mainly fish under 55 mm long. Both adults and chicks ate feathers. One pellet contained feather, fish, insect, plznt and egg remains. Dives lasted on average 20-30 seconds. Feeding success of adults was high while they were feeding chicks. The New Zealand and European subspecies are compared. Differences suggest that much less food is available in New Zealand, which may affect productivity and population size.

Southern skua in Wellington Harbour

Notornis, 29 (4), 292

Jenkins, J. (1982)

Article Type: Short Note

Notornis. Volume 28 (4), December 1981 – Cover & Contents

Notornis, 28 (4), Cover + Contents

Heather, B.D. (editor) (1981)

Article Type: Index

Hudsonian godwit in Fiji

Notornis, 28 (2), 138-139

Skinner, N.J., Langham, N.P.E. (1981)

Article Type: Short Note

Black-fronted terns wintering in the Bay of Plenty

Notornis, 28 (4), 221-239

Latham, P.C.M. (1981)

Article Type: Paper

The habits, feeding and plumage variations of the Black-fronted Tern (Sterna albostriata) were studied during their April to August wintering period in the Bay of Plenty, from 1977 to 1981. Their migration to and from, and occurrence in, the North Island is discussed. The possibility of numbers visiting the Bay of Plenty being on the decline is raised. The study of the plumage variations led to the conclusion that two age-groups are present and readily recognisabIe during their entire stay in the Bay of Plenty and a third is recognisable for at least 3 months of the wintering period. The extent of time over which the autumn-winter moult of the adult takes place is discussed.

Classified Summarised Notes. 30 June 1979 to 30 June 1980

Notornis, 28 (1), 57-82

Sibson, R.B. (1981)

Article Type: Paper

Estimating the fresh weight of eggs of brown kiwi (Apteryx australis mantelli)

Notornis, 28 (4), 288-291

Reid, B. (1981)

Article Type: Paper

Trans Tasman cattle egrets

Notornis, 28 (2), 102

Jenkins, J. (1981)

Article Type: Short Note

A study of the Gentoo Penguin Pygoscelis papua

Notornis, 28 (3), 189-202

Reilly, P.N., Kerle, J.A. (1981)

Article Type: Paper

Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua) were studied for 3 months at four separate colonies on Macquarie Island. No external characters were found for sexing and ageing adult birds, but first-year birds could be distinguished by plumage. Breeding success varied between colonies from an estimated 0.36 to 1.14 chicks per pair. Chicks joined creches by 5 weeks cf age, and they were fully feathered by 11 weeks, when the mean weight was 5.4 kg. An unusual temporary partial retention of body feathers by moulting adults was observed, and a weight loss of 3.3% per day during moult was similar to that of other penguin species.