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SHORT NOTE North Island Kokako (Callaeas Cinerea Wilsoni)

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SHORT NOTE North Island Kokako (Callaeas Cinerea Wilsoni) 52 Notornis, 2007, Vol. 54: 52-54 0029-4470 © The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. SHORT NOTE North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni IHHGRQÀD[ Phormium tenax) nectar on Tiritiri Matangi Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand ROSE THOROGOOD School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand Present address: 11 Westridge Rd, Titirangi, Auckland [email protected] TAMARA HENRY Department of Conservation, Warkworth Area, Auckland Conservancy, Auckland, New Zealand SIMON FORDHAM Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Inc., Auckland, New Zealand The North Is kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) is an kokako to Tiritiri Matangi was controversial, because endangered member of the New Zealand endemic the island lacked the large areas of structurally Ĵȱ¢ȱǻCallaeatidae). Typically described complex forest thought to be necessary to sustain a as being omnivorous (e.g., Best & Bellingham 1990; population of kokako (Jones 2000). Powlesland 1987), kokako eat predominantly fruit During routine Department of Conservation ȱ ǰȱ ȱ Ě ǰȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ǻǼȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ĵǰȱ important depending on their availability (Innes et and casual ornithological observation, 10 of 14 al. in press) and the time of year (Powlesland 1987). individually colour-banded kokako were observed Despite its being widely distributed across the ȱ ȱ Ě¡ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ŘŖŖśǯȱ ȱ ȱȱȱĴȱǻ ȱet Birds in general feed on nectar either by destructive al.ȱȱǼǰȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱĴȱ ȱ ȱ Ě ǰȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱěȱȱ ȱ Ě ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ introduced mammalian pests and competitors, (Newstrom & Robertson 2005). The 2nd method and habitat clearance (Innes et al. 2006). Several ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ě ȱ Ĵȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ to the head of the bird, presumably facilitating ěȬȱǰȱȱŜȱȱ ȱȱȱ pollination. We observed kokako feeding directly Tiritiri Matangi I from Mangatutu (via a breeding ȱĚ¡ȱĚ ȱǻǯȱŗǼǰȱȱ ȱĚ¡ȱȱȃȄȱ programme at Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre) on their foreheads. To our knowledge, kokako have and Mapara in 1997-98 (Innes & Flux 1999). The not previously been described feeding in this fashion habitat of Tiritiri Matangi I consists of a mosaic of ȱ Ě¡ȱ ȱ ǻ ȱ ǰȱ ǯȱ ǯǼǯȱ replanted and regenerating forest, 10-20 years old. feeding methods appeared to be identical to those The predominant species planted were pohutukawa ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱĚ¡ǰȱȱ (Metrosideros excelsa), mahoe (¢ȱ Ě), (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), bellbird (Anthornis cabbage tree (Cordyline australis), and New Zealand melanura), both honeyeaters (Meliphagidae), and the Ě¡ȱǻPhormium tenax). In addition, there are 4 small stitchbird (hihi: Notiomystis cincta) (Craig & Stewart areas of remnant broadleaf coastal forest, whose 1988). The stitchbird has recently been transferred canopies are dominated by kohekohe (Dysoxylum to its own family (Notiomystidae), which is perhaps spectabile), pohutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa), and most closely related to the Callaeatidae (Driskell et taraire (Beilschmiedia tarairi). The introduction of al. 2007). Before our observations, North Island kokako have been recorded feeding on nectar of rewarewa (Knightia excelsa) and puriri (Vitex lucens), albeit Received 25 March 2006; 30 September 2006 at very low rates such as 1% of the diet of 19 Short note 53 Fig. 1 North Is kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoniǼȱȱȱĚ¡ȱ (Phormium tenax) nectar on Tiritiri Matangi Island. Note pollen on forehead of bird. Photo: S. Fordham. individuals in Puketi forest (Powlesland 1987). This most of the Tiritiri Matangi I population feeds on contrasts with our observations where all birds a hitherto unrecognised food type demonstrates were seen commonly either actually feeding, or that this species can inhabit low, shrubby, and ȱ Ě¡ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ structurally simple habitat. The observations also ȱĚ¡ȱěȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ highlight the importance of not assuming a species ȱȱ£ȱȱȱĚ ȱȱȱȱȱ habitat requirements are limited to those where a long brush-like tongue to access the nectar while they survive today. making contact with pollen (Craig & Stewart 1988). ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS tongue of the honeyeaters, the tongue of the kokako These observations were made while under employment does end in a ‘yard broom’-like brush (McCann by DoC (TH), and by the Zoological Society of London 1964), which potential allows kokako to incorporate (RT). John Innes and Doug Armstrong discussed ideas, more nectar in their diet than was previously and Sandra Anderson, Luis Ortiz Catedral, and Kevin thought. Parker provided helpful comments on thes manuscript. We Conservation management of kokako has thank the Department of Conservation and the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi Island for providing support and tended to focus on their being primarily a species of accommodation while we were on the island. mature, complex forest (Innes & Flux 1999), where ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱĚ¡ǯȱ ǰȱȱ ȱȱĞȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ LITERATURE CITED early New Zealanders (C.E. Douglas in Pascoe 1957), Best, H.A.; Bellingham, P.J. 1990. A habitat survey of North Island kokako, in Puketi Forest, Northland. Department and were also observed feeding at forest-scrub edges of Conservation Science & Research series 17. Wellington, (McLean 1912) and in subalpine shrubland (Worthy Department of Conservation. & Holdaway 2002). Although our observations Craig, J.L.; Stewart, A.M. 1988. Reproductive biology of may indicate some behavioural plasticity to novel Phormium tenax: a honeyeater-pollinated species. New environments, they also highlight that the species Zealand journal of botany 26: 453-463. may have inhabited much more varied habitats Driskell, A.; Christidis, L.; Gill, B. J.; Boles, W.E.; Barker, K.; than where they are now found. Currently there are Longmore, N.W. 2007. A new endemic family of New 18 kokako on Tiritiri Matangi I (having increased Zealand passerine birds: adding heat to a biodiversity from the 6 introduced) and interestingly, they hotspot. Australian journal of zoology 55: 73–78 Innes, J.; Flux, I. 1999. North Island kokako recovery plan appear to prefer foraging and nesting in areas of 1999-2009. Wellington, Department of Conservation. replanted and regenerating forest, rather than in ǰȱ ǯDzȱ¡ǰȱ ǯDzȱǰȱǯDzȱǰȱ ǯDzȱĴ ǰȱ ǯǯȱŘŖŖŜǯȱ the mature remnants (Jones 2000). One of the stated Callaeas cinerea Kokako. In: Higgins, P.J.; Peter, research questions of the kokako recovery plan J.M.; Cowling, S.J. (ed.) Handbook of Australian, New (Innes & Flux 1999) is to determine what is ‘good’ Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Vol. 7: Boatbill to starlings. habitat for kokako. Our observations that show that Melbourne, Oxford University Press. 54 Short Note Jones, R. 2000. Behavioural ecology and habitat requirements Powlesland, R.G. 1987. The foods, foraging behaviour and of kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) on Tiritiri Matangi habitat use of North Island Kokako in Puketi State Island. Unpubl. MSc thesis, University of Auckland, Forest, Northland. New Zealand journal of ecology 10: Auckland, New Zealand. 117-128. McCann, C. 1964. Observations on the tongues of some Worthy, T.H.; Holdaway, R.N. 2002. Lost world of the moa: New Zealand birds. Notornis 11: 36-45 prehistoric life in New Zealand Bloomington, Indian McLean, J.C. 1912. Bush-birds of New Zealand. Emu 11: University Press, and Christchurch, Canterbury 223-236. University Press. Newstrom, L.; Robertson, A. 2005. Progress in understanding pollination systems in New Zealand. New Zealand Keywords North Island kokako; Callaeas cinerea wilsoni; journal of botany 43: 1-59. ȱȱĚ¡DzȱPhormium tenaxDzȱDzȱĚ Dzȱ Pascoe, J. (ed.) 1957. Mr Explorer Douglas. Wellington, Reed. nectar; historical distribution; Tiritiri Matangi Island Notornis, 2007, Vol. 54: 54-55 0029-4470 © The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. SHORT NOTE Cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) and other vagrant birds in Fiji GUY DUTSON ȱ ȱħȱǰȱ ǯǯǯȱ¡ȱŗŞřřŘǰȱǰȱħ Present address: Birds Australia, 60 Leicester St, Carlton, Victoria 3053, Australia [email protected] DICK WATLING ȱȱħǰȱǯǯȱ¡ȱŘŖŚŗǰȱ ȱǰȱǰȱħ ȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱħȱȱȱ ȱ¡ȱȱȱȬǰȱȱȬěȱ 2002 to Aug 2005 to identify the country’s Important head, neck, and mantle. All 8 were seen again on 26 Bird Areas (IBAs). Most surveys were undertaken Dec 2005 and on at least 6 other intermediate dates in wet forest, focussing on threatened and endemic ǻ¢ǰȱ¢ǰȱ ¢ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ĞȦǰȱ birds. A few small seabird-nesting islands were Digger Jackson, Richard Thomas/Birdquest, and surveyed and other incidental birdwatching was Dick Watling). Many visits were made to the airport concentrated around Suva. Although many new between these dates and the birds were clearly not data were collected on the resident birds, only 2 present, probably in the extensive agricultural new vagrant species were recorded. This suggests ǰȱ ȱ ĴȬǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ħȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ Ȭ Nausori. In Oct and Nov 2003, all were in breeding documented (excepting pelagic seabirds which ǰȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȬĚȱ were very poorly covered by the BirdLife surveys). Ȭǯȱȱȱȱęȱȱȱħǯȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ ħȂȱȱ ȱ several records of small groups in New Caledonia, Watling (2001) but not breeding (Barré & Dutson 2000; Barré & ȱ Řśȱ ȱ ŘŖŖřǰȱ ȱ Ěȱ ȱ Şȱ Ĵȱ ȱ Bachy 2003). This species has become a regular non- (Bubulcus ibis) was found on the short grassland of breeding visitor from Australia to New Zealand, ȱ ȱ ȱ ǯȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ęȱ ¢ȱ and to Norfolk and Lord Howe Is (Marchant & their small size, stout build, stout bill with a small Higgins 1990; MacAllan et al. 2004). ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ȱ ¢ȱ ȱ ħȱ ȱ historical times is the white-faced heron (Ardea Received 27 February 2006; 31 October 2006 novaehollandiaeǼǯȱ ȱ ȱ ħȱ ȱ ŗşşŝȱ ǻȱ.
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