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Preliminary analysis of records of “storm-killed” sea birds from New Zealand, 1939–59

Notornis, 9 (6), 185-199

P.C. Bull; B.W. Boeson (1961)

Article Type: Paper

Published and unpublished records held by the Ornithological Society of New Zealand give the identity and the date and place of collection of 6,960 specimens of oceanic birds that have been found dead on New Zealand beaches during the period 1939 to 1959. Of the 50 species represented, 38 belong to the order Procellariiformes. Prions (Pachyptila spp.) constitute 64 per cent. of the total records and shearwaters (Puffinus spp.) 20 per cent. The records of most of the species, but particularly of the prions, are characterised by occasional periods of very heavy mortality (“wrecks”) which sometimes involve a single species, sometimes several species. Records of the fairy prion (Pachyptila turtur) are presented in some detail to show distribution and seasonal movements; comparable data for other species are given in summary. Many of the species breed in the south lndian Ocean, and banding of birds at breeding stations there and elsewhere in the subantarctic can be expected to yield many interesting. recoveries from New Zealand.

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