Mobile Menu Open Mobile Menu Close
back back back

Publications Archive

Search by:

Phylogenetic affinities of the New Zealand blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos)

Notornis, 59 (1&2), 49-59

B.C. Robertson; S.J. Goldstien (2012)

Article Type: Paper

We investigate the phylogenetic affinites of the New Zealand blue duck (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos), a riverine specialist of uncertain relationships, using 2613 bp of DNA sequence data from 3 mitochondrial genes. Hymenolaimus has variously been considered an aberrant Anas species, or an ancient taxa in the tribe Anatini. Presently, it is placed in a highly-derived clade (Tribe Merganettini) with the shelducks. Our findings show that Hymenolaimus forms a monophyletic clade, and does not fit within any of the other duck tribes around the world. Our study also confirms convergent evolution among duck species that inhabit fast flowing rivers.

Results of a community-based acoustic survey of ruru (moreporks) in Hamilton city

Notornis, 59 (3&4), 123-129

D.K.J. Morgan; A. Styche (2012)

Article Type: Paper

Ruru or moreporks (Ninox novaeseelandiae) are an iconic native species that are relatively widespread in New Zealand, yet little is known about populations that reside within urban areas. Here we present results from a ruru survey conducted by volunteers within the city of Hamilton, New Zealand to: 1) collect baseline data for future comparative ruru surveys, and 2) to introduce and promote ornithology to a wider audience. In addition, these data may be used to quantify the success of urban restoration projects and pest control operations, as many of the desired outcomes of those projects (e.g., increased native vegetation and reduced mammalian predators) would have a positive impact on ruru numbers. Twenty sites were surveyed in areas such as amenity parks and gullys with established vegetation. Teams of observers recorded the time and approximate bearing of all ruru vocalisations at sites for 1 h each night for 5 consecutive nights between 2000-2230 hours in late October 2011. Ruru were detected at 80% (16/20) of sites at least once over the survey period; at 13 of these sites ruru were detected on >2 nights, while birds were detected every night at 5 sites. Multiple birds were detected at 11 sites, which suggested that some may have been resident pairs and breeding. We recommend that including members of the public in similar surveys is highly desirable as it raises awareness around conservation issues and introduces ornithology to a wider audience.

Observations of collared petrels (Pterodroma brevipes) on Vanua Lava, Vanuatu, and a review of the species’ breeding distribution

Notornis, 59 (1&2), 39-48

A.J.D. Tennyson; C.M. Miskelly; S.L. Totterman (2012)

Article Type: Paper

We report a polymorphic population of collared petrels (Pterodroma brevipes) apparently breeding on Vanua Lava, northern Vanuatu, in the austral autumn-winter. This is one of only 5 known extant colonies of the species. One of the 2 birds captured by us matched the description of the recently described dark plumaged Pt. b. magnificens which had never been reported caught ashore previously. However, the other bird caught was a paler individual indicating that the taxon is variable in plumage colour, like other Pt. brevipes populations. We suggest that the 2 other criteria used to define the subspecies Pt. b. magnificens (body size and breeding chronology) are also questionable and require further investigation.

Discovery, rehabilitation, and post-release monitoring of a vagrant emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)

Notornis, 59 (3&4), 116-122

C.M. Miskelly; P.M. Simpson; L.S. Argilla; J.F. Cockrem (2012)

Article Type: Paper

We report on the discovery, care, release, and post-release monitoring of the 2nd vagrant emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) recorded from New Zealand. An immature male emperor penguin came ashore at Peka Peka Beach (40° 50’ S) 56 km north-east of Wellington on 20 Jun 2011. Its condition deteriorated over the following 4 days, and it was taken into care at Wellington Zoo on 24 Jun. Following 72 days of rehabilitation, the bird was released at sea at 51° 42’ S, 78 km north of subantarctic Campbell I, on 4 Sep 2011. He was tracked, via satellite transmitter, moving south-east for 113 km until 9 Sep, after which no further signals were received. The arrival, care and release of this penguin attracted unprecedented levels of public and media interest for a vagrant bird to New Zealand.

An introduction most determined: mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) to New Zealand

Notornis, 57 (4), 178-195

J. Dyer; M. Williams (2011)

Article Type: Paper

The introductions of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) to New Zealand, and their breeding and release as a game bird by Acclimatisation Societies are summarised. We identify 19 importations, 14 of which (a total of 115 birds all from Great Britain) were sufficient to establish small feral populations in southern and central New Zealand by about 1910. Five subsequent importations were made by Aucklander C.A. Whitney, 3 from Great Britain in 1910 (6 birds), 1914 (number unconfirmed) and 1927 (393 birds), followed by 99 birds (1937) and 45 eggs (1941) both from the USA. It was Whitney’s distribution of eggs following his initial USA importation that prompted widespread breeding and release programmes which, in some regions, extended into the 1960’s and 70’s. We identify a minimum of 30,000 mallards having been released by Acclimatisation Societies, but numerous releases by private individuals remain unrecorded. Almost all regional Acclimatisation Societies at some time released mallards into the wild.

Why do birds stand on one leg? – A pilot study of exotic and native New Zealand birds

Notornis, 57 (4), 173-177

T.D. Harker; R.F. Harker (2011)

Article Type: Paper

One-legged standing (or unipedal posture) in birds was investigated with a particular focus on the role of ambient air temperature on this behaviour in a variety of wading birds and waterfowl. Waterfowl (Anas platyrhynchos and Cygnus atratus) were less likely to be observed standing on 1 leg than long-legged species of wading birds (Ardea novaehollandiae, Limosa lapponica, Platalea regia, Himantopus himantopus), perhaps because of differences in the length of their legs. Feeding behaviour and activities associated with disturbance influenced the frequency of unipedal posture. For captive flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) and pied stilts (Himantopus himantopus) the proportion of birds observed standing on 1 leg increased as the temperature increased from 8 to 19C. This observation contradicts the theory that unipedal posture is a behavioural adaptation to minimise heat loss on cold days. An alternative theory based on unihemispheric slow wave sleep (USWS) patterns is proposed as an explanation for unipedal posture and is recommended as a focus for future research. Our results also confirm the importance of considering differences between species in leg anatomy and activity levels to measure the effects of temperature.

Dynamics of behavioural rhythms in a colonial, nocturnal, burrowing seabird: a comparison across different temporal scales

Notornis, 58 (2), 81-89

T.J. Landers; C.A. Bannock; M.E. Hauber (2011)

Article Type: Paper

There have been few studies on the temporal patterns of social behaviours and how they relate to timing of life history stages in nocturnal colonial bird species. This study focuses on the threatened Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica; Procellariidae), to investigate temporal patterns in colonial interactions, including vocalisations and social behaviours, in the context of petrel sociality. We conducted extensive behavioural observations on the colony at different time-scales (throughout single nights, between seasons, and across years) to characterise the temporal dynamics of at-colony behaviours. These analyses show consistent temporal variation in several behavioural attributes (e.g., social interactions, vocalisations, eyes closed, body movements), with little or no temporal variation in others (e.g., self maintenance or stationary behaviours). These data provide the basis for specific predictions to test the role of social interactions between temporally varying vocalisations and social behaviours in nocturnal colonial birds.
  1. Pages:
  3. 1
  4. ...
  5. 28
  6. 29
  7. 30
  8. 31
  9. 32
  10. 33
  11. 34
  12. ...
  13. 278