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Nesting record of tui

Notornis, 10 (4), 176-179

A. Blackburn (1963)

Article Type: Paper

  1. The hen laid her eggs during the height of a severe gale with some heavy rain.
  2. The hunting away of other birds by the male appears to be connected with food supply in the vicinity of the nest.
  3. The brooding period up to hatching is confirmed as 14 days.
  4. The male was not definitely observed to feed the young on any occasion, either in the nest or subsequently.
  5. The period in the nest is established as 21 or 22 days.
  6. Every observation of feeding at the nest was of insect food only, and after leaving the nest, of berries, occasional insects, and nectar.
  7. A young bird either leaving or fallen from the nest at 17 or 18 days was led back to the nest, probably by withholding food.
  8. Attacks and threat display against the young at four weeks would appear to be to force them to regroup at a height for safety, and for ease in feeding.
  9. At five weeks the young become practically self-supporting.




Food habits of the North Island weka

Notornis, 10 (6), 289-300, 281-284

A.L.K. Carroll (1963)

Article Type: Paper

North Island wekas, once plentiful, became almost extinct approximately 40 years ago, leaving only a small residual population in the Gisborne – East Coast area and Northland (Waipu). Since then, they have multiplied rapidly in the vicinity of Gisborne and are now abundant in that part of the country. Over a period of 18 months 94 wekas were collected from the Gisborne district for study. Gizzard contents were examined and were found to consist of vegetable matter, seeds, insects and other small invertebrates and occasional1 birds’ eggs and frogs. Predominant items of diet were of plant origin – grass, fibrous material, small pieces of wood and clover leaves. A wide variety of seeds was found, most common being of the grass family, with clover and sedge next in order of importance, Insects predominated in the animal food taken, the most important being beetles, wetas and grasshoppers. Earthworms also were a major item of diet, while insect eggs and millipedes were frequently found.








Breeding cycle of the North Island weka

Notornis, 10 (6), 300-302

A.L.K. Carroll (1963)

Article Type: Paper

From nesting records and gonad measurements a study was made of the breeding cycle. It appears that, although breeding occurs throughout the year, it reaches a peak during winter and early spring (June to September). Wekas commonly raise more than one brood in a year; up to four have been recorded. The average number of eggs in a clutch is 3-4, although 5 or 6 are not abnormal.