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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.

Notes on the birds of Wallis and Futuna, South-west Pacific

Notornis, 42 (1), 17-22

B.J. Gill (1995)

Article Type: Paper

During two weeks on the south-west Pacific islands of Wallis and Futuna in September-October 1993 I noted 24 of the 35 species of birds recorded by French ornithologists during a fuller survey in December 1985 and January 1986. A count of boobies on Futuna showed that 5% were adult brown boobies. Of the remainder, 27% were adult white morph red-footed boobies and 54% were adult red-footed boobies of the “white-tailed brown” morph. The continued presence of good numbers of blue-crowned lories on Futuna may indicate a lack of ship rats.

The nesting of the North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) – review of accounts from 1880 to 1989

Notornis, 42 (2), 79-93

J. Innes; R. Hay (1995)

Article Type: Paper

We review 16 published and 17 previously unpublished accounts of the nesting of North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) recorded between 1880 – 1989. Nests were on average 8.5 m above ground, in many different tree species, but usually with dense overhead cover. Kokako laid eggs from October to February. The modal clutch had three eggs or young, four nests had two. Only the female built the nest, incubated, and brooded young, though the male fed the female at or near the nest throughout the nesting period. Incubation took about 18 days and fledging about 31 days. We suggest that several aspects of kokako nesting evolved in response to diurnal avian predation, and that these behaviours give ineffective protection against nocturnal, arboreal, introduced mammal predators.

Recoveries of black shags (Phalacrocorax carbo) banded in Wairarapa, New Zealand

Notornis, 42 (1), 23-26

D. Sim; R.G. Powlesland (1995)

Article Type: Paper

During 1976-89, 490 black shag (Phalacrocorax carbo) nestlings were banded at Matthews and Boggy Pond wildlife reserves, and Te Hopai Lagoon, Wairarapa. Forty-one (8.4%) have been recovered, all dead, 20 of unknown causes. Of 21 for which the cause of death was known, 13 drowned in set nets, 11 of these birds being less than 6 months old. Six shags had been shot, all prior to 1986 when the black shag received partial protection. While 85% of the shags were found within a 100 km of the banding sites, mainly to the north and west, one bird was recovered about 2000 km away on Lord Howe Island.
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