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Successful translocations of little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) between offshore islands of New Zealand

Notornis, 44 (4), 253-258

R.M. Colbourne; H.A. Robertson (1997)

Article Type: Paper

In the 1980’s little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) were transferred to Long, Red Mercury and Hen Islands to establish new populations beyond their stronghold on Kapiti Island. Recent surveys indicate that all three populations are increasing at between 4% and 8% per annum. Recently, a fifth population has been established successfully on Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf, and has grown at a rate of about 11% per annum. Little spotted kiwi now appear to be secure with five viable populations on predator-free islands. Aerial poisoning of rats using brodifacoum baits does not appear to have had any long-term adverse effect on the populations of little spotted kiwi on Red Mercury and Tiritiri Matangi Islands.

Fossil deposits in the Hodges Creek Cave System, on the northern foothills of Mt Arthur, Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Notornis, 44 (2), 111-124

T.H. Worthy (1997)

Article Type: paper

Avifaunas from Pleistocene and Holocene fossil deposits in the Hodges Creek Cave System in northwest Nelson, New Zealand, are described. At least 20 species of birds are present in glacial-age deposits from these sites at about 900 m above sea level. A sample of 12,000 year old Finsch’s Duck (Euryanas finschi) bones shows that post-glacial shortening of the wings in this species had already started at that time.

The decline of the North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) in the East Cape and Opotiki regions, North Island New Zealand

Notornis, 44 (1), 27-35

A.J. Beauchamp (1997)

Article Type: Paper

Densities of the North Island weka (Gallirallus australis greyi) have declined over much of the East Cape region since 1985. The area around Motu township had densities exceeding 0.72 ha-1 in 1985-86, but they disappeared by 1990 and have increased only marginally since. The decline coincided with floods and the spread of ferrets (Mustela furo) into the valley. The only region where weka density increased is in the hills between Motu and Opotiki Counts in the Toatoa and Whitikau Valleys in 1995 found a maximum density of 0.60 adult weka ha-1 in mixed farmland and fern, and between 0.08 – 0.18 ha-1 in mature forest. There are less than 1,000 adults in the centre of this region, and in some areas the population is male-dominated.

Observations on the breeding behaviour of the tanga’eo or Mangaia kingfisher (Halcyon tuta ruficollaris)

Notornis, 43 (1), 43-48

Rowe, S.; Empson, R. (1996)

Article Type: Paper

The breeding behaviour of tanga’eo or Mangaia kingfisher (Halcyon tutu ruficollaris) on the island of Mangaia in the Cook Islands was investigated in 1992. Calls and breeding behaviour are described from a study of pairs and trios. At least six calls were distinguished. Clutch size appeared to be two eggs for pairs and three eggs for trios. Incubation time was between 21 and 23 days, while the fledging period was estimated at approximately 26 days. Both birds of a pair and all members of a trio excavated nest holes, incubated, brooded and fed the chicks. In trios with two males, both males courtship fed and copulated with the female, suggesting a polyandrous relationship. The breeding behaviour and relationship of trios, and the effects of mynas on breeding success warrant further investigation.

New information on the distribution of three species of Southern Ocean gadfly petrels (Pterodroma spp.)

Notornis, 43 (2), 71-78

S.N.G. Howell; D.G. Ainley; S. Webb; D.B. Hardesty; L.B. Spear (1996)

Article Type: Paper

We present new distributional data from the eastern South Pacific Ocean for the white-headed petrel (Pterodroma lessonii), Kerguelen petrel (P. brevirostris), and birds showing characters of the endangered Magenta petrel (P. magentae). Extrapolation of density for white-headed petrels suggests a pelagic population of 18,770 birds for the 10° x 5° block of subtropical surface waters between 27-37°S and 80-85°W (August 1995). Two Kerguelen petrels were noted off Chile at around 40°30’S 74°50’W (August 1995). Three sightings of apparent Magenta petrels between 28°44’S 72°40’W (March 1992) and 36°24’S 78°02’W (August 1995) are reported to alert observers to the potential occurrence of this species off South America.

The extraordinary bill dimorphism of the huia (Heteraclocha acutirostris): sexual selection or intersexual competition?

Notornis, 43 (1), 19-34

R.J. Moorhouse (1996)

Article Type: Paper

Morphological comparison of the extinct huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) with its closest known relatives suggests that the pronounced sexual bill dimorphism of the former evolved through selection on female, rather than male bill form. Because sexual selection acts predominantly on males, it cannot readily explain such dimorphism in a non-polyandrous species. Greater female divergence in foraging-related anatomy in a species in which males are the larger (and therefore presumably socially dominant) sex is, however, consistent with the hypothesis that sexual dimorphism can be an adaptation to reduce intersexual competition for food. Determining which sex changed most is a more rigorous means of establishing the evolutionary significance of sexually dimorphic traits than interpretation of current function.
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