We report the 1st use of a satellite transmitter to track the endemic New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae). The movements of an adult female bush falcon in Kaingaroa Forest east of Lake Taupo, central North Island were monitored during a 3-year period from Feb 2002. The geolocations of the falcon were mapped and revealed that the falcon remained close to her nesting territory throughout the study. The home range included an area of c.200 km2. The falcon nested in pine compartments (0–3 years old) for 3 consecutive years; her nests averaged 5 km apart. After nightfall the falcon was located within the 95% isopleth of her home range, highlighting her sedentary nature. During the breeding season the falcon appeared to wander outside of her home range, with the furthest recorded distance from its centre being 137 km. Throughout the 3 years, observations suggest the falcon preferred to stay close to open areas, which may be related to the frequency of hunting opportunities.
Following the translocation of North Is kokako (Callaeas cinera wilsoni) to Kapiti I, southern North Is, New Zealand, Department of Conservation staff noted that most pairs were forming between individuals that came from the same source origin. This study investigated whether geographic variation in dialects influenced mate selection and, ultimately, pair formation on Kapiti I. Between Nov 1999 and Mar 2001 songs of male kokako that had paired and were resident at a single site were recorded. In addition, recordings were obtained from the Department of Conservation of birds in the source areas. Analysis of the songs indicated that kokako songs were typical of their areas of origin at the time of translocation and differed from songs of birds from different source areas. Translocated female kokako preferentially chose males whose repertoire was typical of the acoustic environment they experienced before translocation. Song analysis and pair formation of kokako born on Kapiti I indicates that the observed assortative mating was a temporary phenomenon in the years after translocation, which did not continue following juvenile recruitment.
Male and female South Is saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus) have monomorphic plumage characteristics and are not easily distinguishable. In this study, we developed discriminant functions to classify males and females using birds of known sex from Ulva I. Three discriminant functions using tarsus length, body mass, and a combination of tarsus length and body mass could classify birds with 90% accuracy.
New Zealand average atmospheric temperature showed little increase from the 1850s onwards for almost 100 years, but increased rapidly after c.1940. The increase in temperatures was accompanied, at least in parts of New Zealand, by an increase in precipitation,. We investigated the relationship between the arrival years (1st breeding) of the bird species that self-introduced to New Zealand during the 20th century and the period of turpentine increase. Because these birds come from Australia the warming might be a prerequisite to colonize New Zealand. When considering the 1st breeding years as events in a univariate point process the process is non-stationary and the rate function has its estimated maximum in 1953. This estimate may indicate that the sequence of invasions of New Zealand by additional bind species could be a response to climate changes although the coincidence is on its own not sufficient to prove that climate changes have affected the self-introduction of birds from Australia into New Zealand. Alternative and additional explanations are discussed.
Three endemic forest bird species, masked shining parrot Prosopeia personata, giant forest honeyeater Gymnomyza viridis, and golden dove Chrysoenas luteovirens were surveyed using distance sampling from forest tracks at 4 sites on Viti Levu, Fiji. Repeat surveys were made at 1 site to better understand the factors affecting detectability. Seasonal changes in detectability reflected the number of calling birds and were almost certainly linked to breeding. The highest mean densities (41 masked shining parrot km-2 (birds), 33 giant forest honeyeater km-2 (calling birds) and 14 golden dove km-2 (calling males) were found in low- to mid-altitude old-growth forest. Densities in degraded re-growth forest and mahogany plantations were about 30% and 50% lower, respectively. Densities in upland forest were very low for masked shining parrot (2.5 km-2), but moderate for giant forest honeyeater (21 km-2)and golden dove (8 km-2). Provisional population estimates of 50,000 pairs of masked shining parrot, 70,000 pairs of GFH and 60,000 pairs of golden dove were made though attention is drawn to the limitations and uncertainties of these estimates. In common with many Pacific Islands, the endemic avifauna of Fiji is threatened by forest loss and degradation and a lack of protected areas. This study could assist in the design of effective protective areas as well as being a baseline for future surveys.
The kakapo (Strigops habroptilus) is a critically endangered, flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand. In 2002, 24 chicks were raised on Codfish Island (Whenua Hou) to increase the total population by 37% to 86 individuals. Data on hatching and fledging of kakapo chicks allowed comparisons to be made between males and females, and between broods of one and two chicks, in hatching weight, growth, weight at fledging, and age of fledging. There was no significant difference in hatching weight between sexes or brood sizes but males were significantly heavier at 60 days old and at fledging. Chicks from broods of one grew more slowly and fledged earlier at lighter weights than chicks from broods of two. Early fledging of solitary chicks might be in response to a lack of mental and physical stimulation.