The Distribution and Current Status of New Zealand Saddleback Philesturnus Carunculatus
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Kakapo: Rescued from the Brink of Extinction
AJE: Australasian Journal of Ecocriticism and Cultural Ecology, Vol. 1, 2011/2012 ASLEC-ANZ Kakapo: Rescued from the Brink of Extinction. By Alison Ballance. Nelson, NZ: Craig Potton Publishing, 2010. 200 pp. Cloth $49.95 Winner of the 2011 Royal Society of New Zealand Science Book Prize ‘Kakapo: Another act of Brinkmanship’ New Zealand-Aotearoa’s long history of geographical and evolutionary isolation with its consequential endemism, followed by the rapid human-induced extinctions brought of the past 800 years is now all too well understood. An absence of mammals, bizarre evolutionary ‘surrogates’ and, perhaps a statement about local resilience in a planetary context, the impact of new species on its ecosystems – all this is part of the Department of Conservation (DOC)’s ‘received’ version. What is still only poorly discerned is how much the efforts of DOC and its associates in the prodigious recovery operations that have become a feature of endangered native bird survival over the past few decades, is an expression of our culture. The black robin, the takahe, little spotted, great and brown kiwi, k!kako, stitchbird, saddleback and mohua, among others, have, to varying degrees, each been perilously and famously close to extinction, but all have been ‘hauled back from the brink’. Rightly, New Zealanders collectively bask in the success of these dizzying missions, that often take decades of work and multiple, painstaking strategies to make a difference. These achievements may be characterised in terms of Western medicine. We in the West have come to be comforted by the fact of the medical ‘Golden Hour’. -
Ulva Island Is a Picturesque, Predator- Free Sanctuary for Native & Endemic
ULVA ISLAND | BIRDS & FOREST ULVA ISLAND IS A BOOKINGS & ENQUIRIES For the best and most comprehensive advice on our PICTURESQUE, PREDATOR- tours and services, please contact us directly. We operate our own independent booking office. FREE SANCTUARY FOR We have so many options and can give you the best NATIVE & ENDEMIC BIRDS advice - no one else knows our business like we do! Call now on +64 3 219 1066 / +64 274 784 433 to speak to our friendly sta or send us an email: AND PLANTS. [email protected]. When in Stewart Island visit our oce at 14 Main Road, Oban - only 3 minutes walk from the flight oce or ferry terminal and 10 seconds across the road from the Conservation Oce. OTHER SERVICES • Aihe Wildlife Cruises & Water Taxi (www.aihe.co.nz) • Stewart Island Outdoor Adventure & Gift Shop (www.stewartislandoutdoorshop.co.nz). • Stewart Island travel and accommodation bookings. ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY Along with donating $1- $3 p.p. per trip into our conservation fund, we actively participate in consultation on conservation issues and challenge any adverse conservation practices. Situated in the middle of Stewart Island’s Paterson We hold an NZ Qualmark Enviro Award. Inlet, Ulva Island is only a 10 minute boat ride from Golden Bay Wharf, Stewart Island. OUR CONSERVATION It is 267 ha in size, 7.8 ha is privately owned. OFFICE BOOKING Ruggedy Range™ Approx. 3.5 kms long and 1.5 kms wide. OFFICE ARGYLE ST Booking Office Easy gravel tracks with steps, mainly flat with short stretches of beach. 14 Main Road MAIN RD Oban, Stewart Island In 1899, Ulva Island became the first reserve in the AYR ST New Zealand Stewart Island area. -
New Zealand Comprehensive II Trip Report 31St October to 16Th November 2016 (17 Days)
New Zealand Comprehensive II Trip Report 31st October to 16th November 2016 (17 days) The Critically Endangered South Island Takahe by Erik Forsyth Trip report compiled by Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth RBL New Zealand – Comprehensive II Trip Report 2016 2 Tour Summary New Zealand is a must for the serious seabird enthusiast. Not only will you see a variety of albatross, petrels and shearwaters, there are multiple- chances of getting out on the high seas and finding something unusual. Seabirds dominate this tour and views of most birds are alongside the boat. There are also several land birds which are unique to these islands: kiwis - terrestrial nocturnal inhabitants, the huge swamp hen-like Takahe - prehistoric in its looks and movements, and wattlebirds, the saddlebacks and Kokako - poor flyers with short wings Salvin’s Albatross by Erik Forsyth which bound along the branches and on the ground. On this tour we had so many highlights, including close encounters with North Island, South Island and Little Spotted Kiwi, Wandering, Northern and Southern Royal, Black-browed, Shy, Salvin’s and Chatham Albatrosses, Mottled and Black Petrels, Buller’s and Hutton’s Shearwater and South Island Takahe, North Island Kokako, the tiny Rifleman and the very cute New Zealand (South Island wren) Rockwren. With a few members of the group already at the hotel (the afternoon before the tour started), we jumped into our van and drove to the nearby Puketutu Island. Here we had a good introduction to New Zealand birding. Arriving at a bay, the canals were teeming with Black Swans, Australasian Shovelers, Mallard and several White-faced Herons. -
Foraging Ecology of the World's Only
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. FORAGING ECOLOGY OF THE WORLD’S ONLY POPULATION OF THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED TASMAN PARAKEET (CYANORAMPHUS COOKII), ON NORFOLK ISLAND A thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology at Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand. Amy Waldmann 2016 The Tasman parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii) Photo: L. Ortiz-Catedral© ii ABSTRACT I studied the foraging ecology of the world’s only population of the critically endangered Tasman parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii) on Norfolk Island, from July 2013 to March 2015. I characterised, for the first time in nearly 30 years of management, the diversity of foods consumed and seasonal trends in foraging heights and foraging group sizes. In addition to field observations, I also collated available information on the feeding biology of the genus Cyanoramphus, to understand the diversity of species and food types consumed by Tasman parakeets and their closest living relatives as a function of bill morphology. I discuss my findings in the context of the conservation of the Tasman parakeet, specifically the impending translocation of the species to Phillip Island. I demonstrate that Tasman parakeets have a broad and flexible diet that includes seeds, fruits, flowers, pollen, sori, sprout rhizomes and bark of 30 native and introduced plant species found within Norfolk Island National Park. Dry seeds (predominantly Araucaria heterophylla) are consumed most frequently during autumn (81% of diet), over a foraging area of ca. -
Your Cruise Natural Treasures of New-Zealand
Natural treasures of New-Zealand From 1/7/2022 From Dunedin Ship: LE LAPEROUSE to 1/18/2022 to Auckland On this cruise, PONANT invites you to discover New Zealand, a unique destination with a multitude of natural treasures. Set sail aboard Le Lapérouse for a 12-day cruise from Dunedin to Auckland. Departing from Dunedin, also called the Edinburgh of New Zealand, Le Lapérouse will cruise to the heart of Fiordland National Park, which is an integral part of Te Wahipounamu, UNESCOa World Heritage area with landscapes shaped by successive glaciations. You will discoverDusky Sound, Doubtful Sound and the well-known Milford Sound − three fiords bordered by majestic cliffs. The Banks Peninsula will reveal wonderful landscapes of lush hills and rugged coasts during your call in thebay of Akaroa, an ancient, flooded volcano crater. In Picton, you will discover the Marlborough region, famous for its vineyards and its submerged valleys. You will also sail to Wellington, the capital of New Zealand. This ancient site of the Maori people, as demonstrated by the Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, perfectly combines local traditions and bustling nightlife. From Tauranga, you can discover the many treasuresRotorua of : volcanoes, hot springs, geysers, rivers and gorges, and lakes that range in colour from deep blue to orange-tinged. Then your ship will cruise towards Auckland, your port of disembarkation. Surrounded by the blue waters of the Pacific, the twin islands of New Zealand are the promise of an incredible mosaic of contrasting panoramas. The information in this document is valid as of 9/24/2021 Natural treasures of New-Zealand YOUR STOPOVERS : DUNEDIN Embarkation 1/7/2022 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM Departure 1/7/2022 at 6:00 PM Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest city and is often referred to as the Edinburgh of New Zealand. -
SOUTH ISLAND SADDLEBACK RECOVERY PLAN (Philesturnus Carunculatus Carunculatus )
THREATENED SPECIES RECOVERY PLAN SERIES NO.11 SOUTH ISLAND SADDLEBACK RECOVERY PLAN (Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus ) Prepared by Andy Roberts (Southland Conservancy) for the Threatened Species Unit Threatened Species Unit Department of Conservation P.O. Box 10-420 Wellington New Zealand © 1994 ISSN 1170-3806 ISBN 0-478-01481-9 Key words: South Island saddleback, Philesturnus carunculatus carunculatus, recovery plan ABSTRACT South Island saddlebacks (tieke) were widely distributed over the South and Stewart Islands in the 19th century. Their rapid decline was documented during the latter 19th century. Following a rodent invasion on their sole remaining island habitat South Island saddlebacks were under threat of immediate extinction. This was thwarted by prompt translocations of remaining birds to nearby predator-free islands. This plan outlines conservation goals and suggests options for continuing the recovery of this subspecies. Recovery is to be achieved through a programme of island habitat restoration and saddleback translocations. Eradication of rodents and weka is promoted by this plan, in some instances this plan suggests that discussions be held with the local Iwi to determine the appropriateness of these eradications. Saddlebacks are to be introduced or re-introduced to a number of islands around the South Island coast. When recovery has been achieved South Island saddleback populations may be established on up to 26 islands with a total of about 4000 individuals. At this population level they will not be ranked as threatened, but be classified as rare and no longer requiring a programme of on-going intensive conservation management. Recovery management proposed in this plan will be undertaken jointly by Department of Conservation staff, Iwi representatives and members of the public. -
The Extraordinary Bill Dimorphism of the Huia
The extraordinaory bill dimorphism of the Huia (Heteraclocba acutirostris): sexual selection or intersexual competition? School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, P 0.Box 600, Wellington, New Zealand ABSTRACT Morphological comparison of the extinct Huia (fleteralocha acutirostris) with its closest known relatives suRRests that the pronounced sexual hill dimorphism of the former evolved through selection on female, rather th:~n male hill form Recnuse sexu:~l selection acts predominantly on males, 11 cannot readily explam such dimorphism in a non-polyandrous spccics. Greater female divergence in foraging-related anatomy In a species In which inales :ire the larger (and therefore presu~nahlysoclally don~in:~nt)scx is, however, consistent with the hypothesis hat sexual dimorphism can he an ad:~pt:~tionto reduce intersexual competition for food. Iletermining which sex changed most is a more rlgorous means of establishing the evolutionary significance of sexually dimorphic traits than interpretmon of current function. KEYWORDS: Hub, Callaeidae, sexual dimorphism, competition INTRODUCTION The extinct Huia (Heteralocha acutirostris), a large (450 mm) wood-foraging passer- ine endemic to New Zealand (Falla et al. 19791, displayed the most extreme sexual bill dimorphism known in birds (Rand 1952, Phillipps 1963, Selander 1966, Burton 1974). In contrast to the relatively short, robust bill of the male, that of the female was approxin~atelyone third longer, more slender and strongly decurved (Figure 1). With the exception of bill length, the Huia appeared to display the usual avian pattern of sexual size dimorphism, the male being significantly larger than the fe- male in both tarsus and wing length (Selander 1966). -
New Zealand Comprehensive III 16Th November – 2Nd December 2017 Trip Report
New Zealand Comprehensive III 16th November – 2nd December 2017 Trip Report Gibson’s Wandering Albatross off Kaikoura by Erik Forsyth Trip Report compiled by Tour Leader Erik Forsyth Rockjumper Birding Tours | New Zealand www.rockjumperbirding.com Trip Report – RBL New Zealand - Comprehensive III 2017 2 Daily Diary New Zealand is a must for the serious seabird enthusiast. Not only will you see a variety of albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, but there are good chances of getting out on the high seas and finding something unusual. Seabirds dominate this tour, and views of most birds are right alongside the boat. There are also several land birds which are unique to these islands: the kiwis – terrestrial nocturnal inhabitants; the huge swamp-hen like takahe – prehistoric in its looks and movements; and then the wattlebirds (the saddlebacks and kokako) – poor flyers with short wings, which bound along the branches and on the ground. We had so many highlights on this tour, including close encounters with Little Spotted Kiwi, walk-away views of a pair of North Island Kokako, both North and South Island Saddlebacks and a pair of the impressive South Island Takahe. With many boat trips, the pelagic list was long, with Wandering, Northern and Southern Royal, Salvin’s, Black-browed, Campbell and White-capped Albatrosses, Westland, Cook’s and White- chinned Petrels, Buller’s, Flesh-footed and New Zealand (Red-breasted) Plover by Erik Forsyth Hutton’s Shearwaters, and Common Diving Petrel being a few of the highlights. Other major highlights included twelve New Zealand King Shag, a pair of Blue Duck with one chick, nine of the critically endangered Black Stilt, the rare Stitchbird, New Zealand Kaka, the entertaining Kea, range- restricted New Zealand Rockwren, the tiny Rifleman and lastly the striking Yellowhead, to name a few. -
Manawahe Kokako Survey Report November 2014
Manawahe Kokako Survey Report November 2014 Photo by Bruce Bancroft Prepared for Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Manawahe Kokako Trust By Bruce Bancroft and Nicole Bancroft 1 Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 3 Methods ................................................................................................................................... 3 Results ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Table 1. Kokako Population Comparisons 2013/2014 ...................................................... 4 Other Birds .............................................................................................................................. 4 Pest Control ............................................................................................................................. 5 Discussion ............................................................................................................................... 5 Table 2. Manawahe Kokako Survey Results Over Time ................................................... 7 Table 3. Manawahe Kokako Pairs change over time. ........................................................ 8 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 9 References: ......................................................................................................................... -
Best Practice Techniques for the Translocation of Whiteheads (Popokatea, Mohoua Albicilla)
Best practice techniques for the translocation of whiteheads (popokatea, Mohoua albicilla) Ralph Powlesland and Kevin Parker Cover: Whitehead, Tiritiri Matangi Island. Photo: Martin Sanders. © Copyright April 2014, New Zealand Department of Conservation Published by the Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit, National Office, Science and Capability Group, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, The Terrace, Wellington 6143, New Zealand. Editing and design by the Publishing Team, National Office, Department of Conservation, PO Box 10420, The Terrace, Wellington 6143, New Zealand. CONTENTS Abstract 1 1. Introduction 2 2. Animal welfare requirements 3 3. Transfer team 3 4. Time of year for transfer 3 5. Number of transfers 4 6. Composition of transfer group 4 7. Sexing whiteheads 4 7.1 Appearance 4 7.2 Measurements 5 7.3 DNA sexing 6 8. Ageing whiteheads 7 9. Capture 7 10. Transfer to base for ‘processing’ 7 11. Processing the birds 8 12. Temporary housing in aviaries 10 12.1 Capture in the aviary on transfer day 12 13. Feeding 14 14. Whitehead husbandry 15 15. Transfer box design 15 16. Transport 16 17. Release 17 18. Post-release monitoring 17 18.1 Purpose 17 18.2 Recommended monitoring 19 19. Record keeping 19 20. References 21 Appendix 1 Details of report contributors 23 Appendix 2 Feeding protocol for whiteheads being held in temporary aviaries 24 Appendix 3 Recipes for whitehead foods 25 Best practice techniques for the translocation of whiteheads (popokatea, Mohoua albicilla) Ralph Powlesland1 and Kevin Parker2 1 606 Manaroa Road, Manaroa, RD 2, Picton, New Zealand [email protected] 2 Parker Conservation, Auckland, New Zealand parkerconservation.co.nz Abstract This document outlines best practice techniques for the translocation of whiteheads (popokatea, Mohoua albicilla). -
A Field Technique for Determining the Sex of North Island Kokako (Callaeas Cinerea Wilsonl)
Notornis, 2001, Vol. 48: 217-223 0029-4470 O The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc. 2001 A field technique for determining the sex of North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsonl) IAN FLUX Science and Research Division, Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 10-420, Wellington, New Zealand [email protected] JOHN INNES Landcare Research Ltd, Private Bag 3127, Hamilton, New Zealand Abstract North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) appear sexually monomorphic. Females are, on average, slightly smaller than males in most body measurements. Mean tarsus length was significantly smaller among females at all sites and can be used to predict sex of unknown birds with up to 86% accuracy. A simple discriminant function, using tarsus and wing chord measurements, was derived which increased sex resolution to over 90% at some sites. This is sufficient accuracy to provide a useful field technique for kokako research and conservation management. Best discri- minant functions for different sites are presented and their geographical limitations are discussed. Flux, I.; Innes, J. 2001. A field technique for determining the sex of North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni). Notornis 48(4): 217-223. Keywords kokako; Callaeas cinerea wilsoni; morphometrics; sex determination INTRODUCTION ogy, and breeding of kokako would be aided greatly The North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) is by a simple sexing techmque. a member of an endemic family, the Callaeatidae or Standard measurements (Gurr 1947)were recorded New Zealand wattlebirds. The kokako is the only from kokako captured between 1990 and 1999. Sex of wattlebird remaining on the New Zealand mainland; 111 adults was determined concurrently by field ob- populations inhabit mainly small and disjunct areas servation at Mapara Wildlife Management Reserve, of lowland forest in the central and northern North King Country and at Rotoehu Forest, Bay of Plenty, Island (Innes & Flux 1999).The species is considered during 7 years of intensive field research and man- to be threatened (Collar et al. -
Conservation
SCIENCE OF ECOLOGY AND ART OF CONSERVATION Protection of native species by applying scientific principles of conservation can save New Zealand’s threatened flora and fauna from extinction. Indeed, safeguarding species diversity and abundance will ensure today’s gene pool contributes to the ability of species’ to adapt in tomorrow’s changing environment. Greater biodiversity thereby enhances opportunities for the future evolution of new species. Ecological degradation began with the arrival of humans (circa 1280 AD), along with their cargo of predators to this archipelago. Many species were lost when Polynesians and Europeans respectively destroyed 32% and 38% of the country’s natural forests. Polynesians caused the extinction of >70 native species and European’s another 12 species. Prolonged hunting and habitat loss precipitated extinction of ~58 bird species*. Introduced predators quickly gained supremacy over smaller avian and insect species. Kiore (Rattus exulans) alone led to the loss of ~23 small bird, bat, reptile and invertebrate species. The worldwide IUCN Red List contains 784 extinct species, of which 27 have been lost in the past 20 years. The Red List’s threatened species includes 45 New Zealand birds, including the North Island kokako, kaka, kiwi, kakapo and mohua. The country’s birds are prone to predation and their numbers in most cases continue to decline (Table 1). This includes extinction of the South Island kokako, last reported to occur in Teal Creek, Mount Aspiring National Park in 1967 (Fig. 1). North Island kokako (Callaeas cinerea wilsoni) with their aquamarine wattle are few, and limited mostly to the Mainland Island Restoration Project, Otamatuna, Te Urewera National Park.