DOCSLIB.ORG

The Conservation Status of Bird Species at Tahi

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

The conservation status of bird species at Tahi. English name Maori name Latin name Conservation status NZ status Australasian Brown Bittern Matuku Botaurus Poiciloptilus Nationally Critical Native Australasian Gannet Takapu Sula Serrator Not Threatened Native Australasian Shoveler Kuruwhengi Anas Rhychotis Not Threatened Native Banded Dotterel Tuturiwhatu Charadrius Bicinctus Nationally Vulnerable Endemic Banded Rail Moiweka Rallus Philippensis Declining Native Bellbird Korimako Anthornis Melanura Not Threatened Endemic Black Shag Kawau Phalacrocorax Carbo Naturally Uncommon Native Black Swan Kakianui Cygnus Atratus Not Threatened Native Brown Teal Pateke Anas Chlorotis Recovering Endemic Caspian Tern Taranui Hydroprogne Caspia Nationally Vulnerable Native Fairy Tern Tara Iti Sterula Nreeis Nationally Critical Native Fernbird Matata Bowdleria Punctata Declining Endemic Grey Duck Parera Anas Superciliosa Nationally Critical Native Grey Teal Tete Anas Gibberifrons Not Threatened Native Grey Warbler Riroriro Gerygone Igata Not Threatened Endemic Kaka Kaka Nestor Meridionalis Recovering Endemic Little Black Shag Kawau Tui Phalacrocorax Sulcirostris Naturally Uncommon Native Little Penguin Korora Eudyptula Minor Declining Native Little Shag Kawau Paka Phalacrocorax Melanoleucos Not Threatened Native Long-Tailed Cuckoo Kawekawea Eudynamis Taitensis Naturally Uncommon Endemic Morepork Ruru Ninox Novaeseelandiae Not Threatened Native New Zealand Dabchick Weweia Poliocephalus Rufopectus Recovering Endemic New Zealand Dotterel Tūturiwhatu Charadius Obscurus Recovering Endemic New Zealand Fantail Piwakawaka Rhipidura Fuliginosa Not Threatened Endemic New Zealand Pigeon Kukupa, Kereru Hemiphaga Novaeseelandiae Not Threatened Endemic New Zealand Pipit Pihoihoi Anthus Novaeseelandiae Declining Endemic New Zealand Scaup Papango Aythya Novaeseelandiae Not Threatened Endemic North Island Brown Kiwi Kiwi Apteryx Australis Declining Endemic Paradise Shelduck Putangitangi Tadorna Variegata Not Threatened Endemic Pied Shag Karuhiruhi Phalacrocorax Varius Recovering Native Pied Stilt Poaka Himantopus Leucocephalus Not Threatened Native Pukeko Pukeko Porphyrio Melanotus Not Threatened Native Red-Billed Gull Tarapunga Larus Scopulinus Declining Native Reef Heron Matuku Moana Egretta Sacra Nationally Endangered Native Royal Spoonbill Kōtuku Ngutupapa Platalea Regia Naturally Uncommon Native Sacred Kingfisher Kotare Halcyon Sancta Not Threatened Native Shining Cuckoo Pipiwharauroa Chalcites Lucidus Not Threatened Native Silvereye Tauhou Zosterops Lateralis Not Threatened Native South Island Pied Oystercatcher Torea Haematopus Finschi Declining Endemic Southern Black-Backed Gull Karoro Larus Dominicanus Not Threatened Native Spotless Crake Puweto Porzana Tabuensis Declining Native Spur-Winged Plover Lobibyx Novaehollandiae Not Threatened Native NATURE SANCTUARY. ECO-RETREAT. SUSTAINABLE WELL-BEING tahinz.com ©TAHI_2823_Tahi_BirdsListA4_V2_20/01/2020 1 English name Maori name Latin name Conservation status NZ status Swamp Harrier Kahu Circus Approximans Not Threatened Native Tomtit Miromiro Petroica Macrocephala Not Threatened Endemic Tui Tui Prosethemadira Not Threatened Endemic Novaeseelandiae Variable Oystercatcher Torea Haematopus Unicolor Recovering Endemic Welcome Swallow Warau Hirundo Neoxena Not Threatened Native White-Fronted Tern Kahawai Sterna Striata Declining Native Australian Magpie Gymnorhina Tibicen Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Barbary Dove Streptopelia Risoria Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Brown Quail Synoicus Ypsilophorus Introduced and Naturalised Introduced California Quail Lophortyx Californicus Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Canada Goose Branta Canadensis Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Cape Barren Goose Cereopsis Novaehollandiae Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Chaffinch Fringilla Coelebs Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Common Myna Acridotheres Tristis Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Common Pheasant Phasianus Colchicus Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Common Starling Sternus Vulgaris Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Dunnock Prunella Modularis Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Eastern Rosella Platycercus Eximius Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Eurasian Blackbird Turdus Merula Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Eurasian Skylark Alauda Arvensis Introduced and Naturalised Introduced European Goldfinch Carduelis Carduelis Introduced and Naturalised Introduced European Greenfinch Chloris Chloris Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Feral Goose Anser Anser Introduced and Naturalised Introduced House Sparrow Passer Domesticus Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Mallard Anas Platryhynchos Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Peafowl Pavo Cristatus Linnaeus Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Song Thrush Turdus Philomelos Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Wild Turkey Meleagris Gallopavo Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Yellowhammer Emberiza Citrinella Introduced and Naturalised Introduced Grand total - 71 Introduced and Naturalised - 23 NATURE SANCTUARY. ECO-RETREAT. SUSTAINABLE WELL-BEING tahinz.com ©TAHI_2823_Tahi_BirdsListA4_V2_20/01/2020 2.
Recommended publications
  • Pre-Construction Bird and Bat Monitoring at the Turitea Wind Farm

    Pre-Construction Bird and Bat Monitoring at the Turitea Wind Farm

    PRE-CONSTRUCTION BIRD AND BAT MONITORING AT THE TURITEA WIND FARM R1950s-xvi PRE-CONSTRUCTION BIRD AND BAT MONITORING AT THE TURITEA WIND FARM Spectral bat detector (ABM) deployed in a pine tree along South Range Road, Turitea. Contract Report No. 1950s-xvi June 2019 Project Team: Keely Paler - Report author, field work Astrid van Meeuwen-Dijkgraaf - Report author Rachel McClellan - Report author Kerry Borkin - Report author William Shaw - Report author Chris Bycroft - Field work Prepared for: Mercury Energy Hamilton WELLINGTON OFFICE: 22 RAIHA STREET, ELSDON, P.O. BOX 50-539, PORIRUA Ph 04-237-7341; Fax 04-237-7496 HEAD OFFICE: 99 SALA STREET, P.O. BOX 7137, TE NGAE, ROTORUA Ph 07-343-9017; Fax 07-343-9018, email [email protected], www.wildlands.co.nz CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. SITE OVERVIEW 1 3. METHODS 2 3.1 General 2 3.2 Birds 3 3.3 Bats 4 3.4 Data analysis 7 3.4.1 Wildlands data 7 3.4.2 Groundtruth data 9 4. BIRDS 9 4.1 Overview 9 4.2 Five-minute bird counts 13 4.2.1 Kōmako/bellbird 13 4.2.2 Pīwakawaka/fantail 15 4.2.3 Riroriro/grey warbler 16 4.2.4 Tauhou/silvereye 16 4.2.5 Pōpokotea/whitehead 17 4.2.6 Tūī 18 4.2.7 Kererū 18 4.2.8 Miromiro/pied tomtit 19 4.2.9 Pūtangitangi/paradise shelduck 19 4.2.10 Kāhu/swamp harrier 20 4.3 Flight path monitoring 20 4.4 Incidental observations 24 4.5 At Risk species 24 4.6 Comparison with Groundtruth data 26 4.6.1 Kōmako/bellbird 28 4.6.2 Karearea/bush falcon 28 4.6.3 Popokatea/whitehead 29 4.6.4 Pūtangitangi/paradise shelduck 29 4.6.5 Kāhu/swamp harrier 30 4.6.6 Tūī 30 4.6.7 Miromiro/pied tomtit 31 4.6.8 Titipounamu/rifleman 31 4.6.9 Kererū 32 5.
  • Beak and Feather Disease Viru

    Beak and Feather Disease Viru

    Fact sheet Beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) is the causative agent of psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), an endemic disease in Australia’s wild parrot populations. Descriptions of parrots with feather loss consistent with the disease date back to the late 1800s (Ashby 1907). The virus is believed to have originated in Australia sometime following the separation of the continent from Gondwanaland, with spread to other parts of the world with modern movement of parrots as pet and aviary species . It has the potential to impact on several endangered Australian and non-Australian parrot populations and is listed as a key threatening process by the Australian government. Of late, the virus also has been identified in various non-psittacine species . Beak and feather disease virus is a 14 to 16 nm non-enveloped icosahedral DNA virus belonging to the family Circoviridae. Formerly, it was believed that the circoviruses recovered from a diverse range of psittacines were all antigenically similar. Doubt was cast on this theory when a virus that appeared to be serologically and genetically different was isolated from cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) (Shearer et al. 2008). More recent research appears to indicate that psittacine circoviruses can be divided into two species and multiple viral strains. Based on work by Varsani et al. (2011), BFDV contains 14 strains, while budgerigar circovirus (BCV), a newly defined species to date only found in budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates), contains three strains. However, it is likely that this number will continue to increase as shown by the discovery of two new distinct BFDV lineages in orange-bellied parrots (Neophema chrysogaster) (Peters et al.
  • Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii

    Disaggregation of Bird Families Listed on Cms Appendix Ii

    Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals 2nd Meeting of the Sessional Committee of the CMS Scientific Council (ScC-SC2) Bonn, Germany, 10 – 14 July 2017 UNEP/CMS/ScC-SC2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II (Prepared by the Appointed Councillors for Birds) Summary: The first meeting of the Sessional Committee of the Scientific Council identified the adoption of a new standard reference for avian taxonomy as an opportunity to disaggregate the higher-level taxa listed on Appendix II and to identify those that are considered to be migratory species and that have an unfavourable conservation status. The current paper presents an initial analysis of the higher-level disaggregation using the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World Volumes 1 and 2 taxonomy, and identifies the challenges in completing the analysis to identify all of the migratory species and the corresponding Range States. The document has been prepared by the COP Appointed Scientific Councilors for Birds. This is a supplementary paper to COP document UNEP/CMS/COP12/Doc.25.3 on Taxonomy and Nomenclature UNEP/CMS/ScC-Sc2/Inf.3 DISAGGREGATION OF BIRD FAMILIES LISTED ON CMS APPENDIX II 1. Through Resolution 11.19, the Conference of Parties adopted as the standard reference for bird taxonomy and nomenclature for Non-Passerine species the Handbook of the Birds of the World/BirdLife International Illustrated Checklist of the Birds of the World, Volume 1: Non-Passerines, by Josep del Hoyo and Nigel J. Collar (2014); 2.
  • Birding Oxley Creek Common Brisbane, Australia

    Birding Oxley Creek Common Brisbane, Australia

    Birding Oxley Creek Common Brisbane, Australia Hugh Possingham and Mat Gilfedder – January 2011 [email protected] www.ecology.uq.edu.au 3379 9388 (h) Other photos, records and comments contributed by: Cathy Gilfedder, Mike Bennett, David Niland, Mark Roberts, Pete Kyne, Conrad Hoskin, Chris Sanderson, Angela Wardell-Johnson, Denis Mollison. This guide provides information about the birds, and how to bird on, Oxley Creek Common. This is a public park (access restricted to the yellow parts of the map, page 6). Over 185 species have been recorded on Oxley Creek Common in the last 83 years, making it one of the best birding spots in Brisbane. This guide is complimented by a full annotated list of the species seen in, or from, the Common. How to get there Oxley Creek Common is in the suburb of Rocklea and is well signposted from Sherwood Road. If approaching from the east (Ipswich Road side), pass the Rocklea Markets and turn left before the bridge crossing Oxley Creek. If approaching from the west (Sherwood side) turn right about 100 m after the bridge over Oxley Creek. The gate is always open. Amenities The main development at Oxley Creek Common is the Red Shed, which is beside the car park (plenty of space). The Red Shed has toilets (composting), water, covered seating, and BBQ facilities. The toilets close about 8pm and open very early. The paths are flat, wide and easy to walk or cycle. When to arrive The diversity of waterbirds is a feature of the Common and these can be good at any time of the day.
  • New Zealand Birds and Vineyards of the South Island 16Th April to 24Th April 2023 (9 Days)

    New Zealand Birds and Vineyards of the South Island 16Th April to 24Th April 2023 (9 Days)

    New Zealand Birds and Vineyards of the South Island 16th April to 24th April 2023 (9 days) Tui on Motuara Island, Marlborough Sound by Erik Forsyth RBL New Zealand – Birds & Wine Itinerary 2 New Zealand supports a host of unusual endemic land birds and a rich assemblage of marine birds and mammals. Starting in Christchurch, we head to Arthur’s Pass where we will be hiking through pristine Red Beech forest surrounded by breath-taking glacier-lined mountains, where Pipipi (Brown Creeper) Rifleman and the massive Kea can be found before we embark on another pelagic adventure into the fantastic upwelling off Kaikoura, searching for an abundance of albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels. Our last port of call is Picton where a chartered boat tour will take us through the Marlborough Sound to Motuara Bird Sanctuary, where the dazzling South Island Saddleback, Yellow-crowned Parakeet and New Zealand Robin will no doubt entertain us, With excellent lodging, vineyards, wines and meals, awe- inspiring scenery and fantastically friendly “Kiwis”, this is sure to be a tour of a lifetime! THE TOUR AT A GLANCE… THE ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival in Christchurch Day 2 Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass Day 3 Arthur’s Pass area Day 4 Arthur’s Pass to Kaikoura Day 5 Kaikoura area Day 6 Kaikoura to Picton Day 7 Picton area Day 8 Picton to Christchurch Day 9 Departure RBL New Zealand – Birds & Wine Itinerary 3 TOUR ROUTE MAP… THE TOUR IN DETAIL… Day 1: Arrival in Christchurch. After breakfast we will visit Lake Ellesmere. This large lake supports a variety of ducks and geese and we will visit several sites to search for Australasian Shoveler, Grey Teal, Mallard, Canada Geese, Eurasian Coot and the endemic New Zealand Scaup.
  • WINNER IS … 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 1 by Iona Mcnaughton the Winners So Far the Bird of the Year Competition Was Started As A

    WINNER IS … 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 1 by Iona Mcnaughton the Winners So Far the Bird of the Year Competition Was Started As A

    AND THE WINNER IS … 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 1 by Iona McNaughton The Winners So Far The Bird of the Year competition was started as a way of making people more interested in native 2005: Tūī 2010 New Zealand birds. Many of our native birds are 2006: Pīwakawaka – Fantail endangered, so if people know more about them, 2007: Riroriro – Grey warbler they can help to keep the birds safe. 2008: Kākāpō New Zealand native birds are given a “danger status”. 2009: Kiwi 2011 This shows how much danger they are in of becoming 2010: Kākāriki karaka – Orange-fronted parakeet extinct. The birds are either “doing OK”, “in some 2011: Pūkeko trouble”, or “in serious trouble”. Sadly, only about 2012: Kārearea – New Zealand falcon 20 percent of New Zealand native birds are 2013: Mohua – Yellowhead “doing OK”. 2014: Tara iti – Fairy tern 2012 Danger status This article has 2015: Kuaka – Bar-tailed godwit information about 2016: Kōkako some of the birds Kea In some Doing 2017: of the year – including trouble OK 2018: Kererū – New Zealand pigeon their danger status. 2013 In serious trouble 10 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Bird of the Year 2006: Pīwakawaka – Fantail Bird of the Year 2005: Tūī Danger status Doing OK Danger status Doing OK Description Endemic Small body with a long tail that it can Description Endemic spread out like a fan A large bird (up to 32 centimetres long) About 16 centimetres long with shiny green-black feathers and a tu of white throat feathers What it eats Insects What it eats Insects.
  • The Triumphs, Challenges and Failures of Young North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx Mantelli): a Study of Behaviour, Growth, Dispersal and Mortality

    The Triumphs, Challenges and Failures of Young North Island Brown Kiwi (Apteryx Mantelli): a Study of Behaviour, Growth, Dispersal and Mortality

    Copyright is owned by the Author of the thesis. Permission is given for a copy to be downloaded by an individual for the purpose of research and private study only. The thesis may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the Author. The triumphs, challenges and failures of young North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli): a study of behaviour, growth, dispersal and mortality Stephanie Walden A thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Zoology at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand Alexandra Louise Wilson 2013 i ii Abstract North Island brown kiwi (NIBK, Apteryx mantelli), an endemic New Zealand species, are estimated to have declined by 90% from pre-human colonisation numbers. Currently, at least 60% of mortality is attributed to introduced mammalian predators, namely stoats (Mustela erminea) preying on chicks. Therefore, conservation effort focuses on predator trapping/killing, and hatching and rearing NIBK chicks in captivity and releasing them back into the wild. These efforts are resulting in increased recruitment of chicks into populations. However, little is known about the biology and behaviour of NIBK chicks in the wild and how this may affect management of these populations. Consequently, the aim of this study was to examine the ecology of young wild NIBK in a natural high density population with reduced predator diversity on Ponui Island. More specifically, the goal was to determine their growth rates, behaviour around the natal nest, dispersal and mortality, and how these factors may be influenced by environmental variables. During the 2010 - 2011 and 2011 - 2012 breeding seasons 29 young NIBK were observed from hatching until mortality or the end of 2012.
  • Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos) New Zealand Scaup/Pāpango (Aythya

    Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos) New Zealand Scaup/Pāpango (Aythya

    DUCK DESCRIPTION HABITAT, HABITS AND OTHER FACTS Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) The mallard is a dabbling duck. Mallards were introduced to New Zealand. They live in wetlands all over the country and congregate in groups or flocks of varying sizes. They eat water plants and small animals. © Richard Bartz/CC 2.5 © Richard Bartz/CC Mallards have bright orange legs and This species is the main ancestor of most feet, orange and brown bills and a blue breeds of domesticated ducks. speculum edged with white at both the front and back. The mallard is considered an invasive pest Drakes have a glossy green head and are and is the most common duck in grey on their wings and belly. Hens have New Zealand. mainly brown-speckled plumage. © Copyright. 2017. University of Waikato. All rights reserved. | www.sciencelearn.org.nz DUCK DESCRIPTION HABITAT, HABITS AND OTHER FACTS New Zealand scaup/pāpango (Aythya novaeseelandiae) The scaup/pāpango is the only true diving duck in New Zealand. They are endemic to New Zealand. They are found in many lakes and rivers across mainland New Zealand, especially on large, deep, freshwater lakes. They are becoming increasingly common also on shallow lowland lakes, slow-flowing rivers and saltwater and often congregate in © Raewyn Adams/NZ Birds Online Adams/NZ © Raewyn sheltered areas. Both sexes of scaup/pāpango are a dark Most of their food is obtained by diving and brown/black colour. includes snails, caddisfly larvae and plant A white wing bar can be seen while they material. are flying. Scaup/pāpango are also known as black teal, Male scaup have yellow eyes and a matapōuri, tītīpōrangi or raipo.
  • Distributions of New Zealand Birds on Real and Virtual Islands

    Distributions of New Zealand Birds on Real and Virtual Islands

    JARED M. DIAMOND 37 Department of Physiology, University of California Medical School, Los Angeles, California 90024, USA DISTRIBUTIONS OF NEW ZEALAND BIRDS ON REAL AND VIRTUAL ISLANDS Summary: This paper considers how habitat geometry affects New Zealand bird distributions on land-bridge islands, oceanic islands, and forest patches. The data base consists of distributions of 60 native land and freshwater bird species on 31 islands. A theoretical section examines how species incidences should vary with factors such as population density, island area, and dispersal ability, in two cases: immigration possible or impossible. New Zealand bird species are divided into water-crossers and non-crossers on the basis of six types of evidence. Overwater colonists of New Zealand from Australia tend to evolve into non-crossers through becoming flightless or else acquiring a fear of flying over water. The number of land-bridge islands occupied per species increases with abundance and is greater for water-crossers than for non-crossers, as expected theoretically. Non-crossers are virtually restricted to large land-bridge islands. The ability to occupy small islands correlates with abundance. Some absences of species from particular islands are due to man- caused extinctions, unfulfilled habitat requirements, or lack of foster hosts. However, many absences have no such explanation and simply represent extinctions that could not be (or have not yet been) reversed by immigrations. Extinctions of native forest species due to forest fragmentation on Banks Peninsula have especially befallen non-crossers, uncommon species, and species with large area requirements. In forest fragments throughout New Zealand the distributions and area requirements of species reflect their population density and dispersal ability.
  • Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A

    Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A

    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard Papers in the Biological Sciences 2010 Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World: Index Paul A. Johnsgard University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans Part of the Ornithology Commons Johnsgard, Paul A., "Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World: Index" (2010). Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard. 19. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/biosciducksgeeseswans/19 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Papers in the Biological Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World by Paul A. Johnsgard by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Index The following index is limited to the species of Anatidae; species of other bird families are not indexed, nor are subspecies included. However, vernacular names applied to certain subspecies that sometimes are considered full species are included, as are some generic names that are not utilized in this book but which are still sometimes applied to par­ ticular species or species groups. Complete indexing is limited to the entries that correspond to the vernacular names utilized in this book; in these cases the primary species account is indicated in italics. Other vernacular or scientific names are indexed to the section of the principal account only. Abyssinian blue-winged goose. See atratus, Cygnus, 31 Bernier teal. See Madagascan teal blue-winged goose atricapilla, Heteronetta, 365 bewickii, Cygnus, 44 acuta, Anas, 233 aucklandica, Anas, 214 Bewick swan, 38, 43, 44-47; PI.
  • New Zealand Garden Bird Survey – Analysis of the First Four Years

    New Zealand Garden Bird Survey – Analysis of the First Four Years

    AvailableSpurr: Garden on-line Bird at: Surveyhttp://www.newzealandecology.org/nzje/ 1 special issue: Advances in tools for bird population monitoring in New Zealand New Zealand Garden Bird Survey – analysis of the first four years Eric B. Spurr Landcare Research, PO Box 40, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand Email: [email protected] Published on-line: 30 July 2012 Abstract: The New Zealand Garden Bird Survey started in 2007 primarily to monitor long-term trends in common garden bird populations. The method was based on the Big Garden Birdwatch in the UK. Volunteers spent one hour in midwinter each year recording for each bird species the largest number of individuals detected at any one time in their gardens, as an index of abundance. A large number of species was recorded, the two most numerous being house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and silvereye (Zosterops lateralis). There was regional variation in species occurrence and abundance; more species and more individuals of most species in rural than in urban gardens; more individuals of some species and fewer of others in gardens where supplementary food was provided; and changes in the abundance of some species over the 4 years. Potential problems with the methodology and interpretation of the data are discussed. As a consequence of convenience sampling the results apply only to the gardens of participants, not necessarily New Zealand as a whole. The survey has the potential to alert authorities to changes in garden bird population trends, and to provide circumstantial evidence of the success or otherwise of management actions such as restoration planting. Keywords: abundance; indices; occurrence; population monitoring; population trends; supplementary feeding Introduction of native bird species that are either resident in domestic gardens year round or visit domestic gardens in winter.
  • A Merganser at Auckland Islands, New Zealand

    A Merganser at Auckland Islands, New Zealand

    3 A merganser at Auckland Islands, New Zealand MURRAY WILLIAMS School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University, P.O. Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand. E-mail: [email protected] Dedicated to the late Janet Kear, a friend and colleague from afar, whose lifetime work enriched our knowledge and enjoyment of the world’s waterfowl. Abstract The last population of the merganser Mergus australis persisted at Auckland Islands in New Zealand’s Subantarctic until its extermination by specimen collectors in 1902. It is now represented by four duckling specimens, 23 skins of immatures and adults, three skeletons, and a partial cadaver stored in 11 museums. It was the smallest known Mergus, the males weighing c. 660 g and showing little plumage dimorphism from the smaller (c. 530 g) females. Only five published accounts report first-hand observations of its ecology, breeding or distribution. Most likely it occurred as year- round territorial pairs in the larger streams and along the coastal edge at the heads of Auckland Island’s eastern inlets and in Carnley Harbour and fed on both marine and fresh water foods. Its population probably never exceeded 20–30 pairs. The scant records suggest it had a typical summer breeding season. Although its keel area and wing skeleton were reduced relative to its sternum length it was well capable of flapping flight. Key words: Auckland Islands, Auckland Islands Merganser, Mergus australis. A merganser (Family Anatidae, Tribe in 1902 (Alexander 1902; Ogilvie-Grant Mergini) once inhabited the Auckland 1905) was obtained, Polynesians having Islands archipelago, 450 km south of New earlier extirpated the New Zealand Zealand in the subantarctic Southern Ocean and Chatham Island populations.