Notornis, 48 (3), 131-136
Article Type: Paper
Decline of brown teal (Anas chlorotis) in Northland, New Zealand, 1988-99
Numbers of brown teal (Anas chlorotis) present at summer flock sites in Northland, New Zealand declined 65% during 1988-99 and the species’ principal range contracted to three enclaves located along 20 km of the eastern coast. Most populations underwent a period of gradual decline followed by an abrupt crash, symptomatic of prolonged recruitment failure. Drought-induced habitat and landscape change is proposed as an important agent of decline in two formerly large populations at Clendon Cove and Tutaematai. Extirpation in Northland appears imminent.