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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 107(1)

Breeding habitat of the Cook’s Petrel (Pterodroma cookii) on Little Barrier Island (Hauturu): implications for the conservation of a New Zealand endemic

Matt J. Rayner A B , Mark E. Hauber A and Mick N. Clout A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Biological Sciences, 3a Symonds Street, Thomas Building, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.

B Corresponding author. Email: m.rayner@auckland.ac.nz

Emu 107(1) 59-68 https://doi.org/10.1071/MU06038
Submitted: 15 August 2006  Accepted: 18 January 2007   Published: 20 March 2007

Abstract

Cook’s Petrel (Pterodroma cookii), a trans-equatorial migrant endemic to the New Zealand archipelago, is today endangered and restricted to island habitats at the northern and southern extents of its former range. To improve the limited knowledge of the breeding habitat of this species, we combined an island-wide survey, the mapping capabilities of geographic information systems, and logistic and autologistic analyses to examine burrow distribution and habitat use of the world’s largest population of Cook’s Petrel, on Little Barrier Island (Hauturu). Our results show that, on this island, Cook’s Petrel breeds predominantly above 300 m above sea level, on steeper slopes, closer to ridge tops, and in unmodified forest habitats with low and open canopies and greater numbers of large stems compared to the available terrain and habitat. Within these habitats above 300 m, densities of burrows are 0.04 burrows m–2. Through comparisons with habitat data from two low-altitude colonies, we conclude that the current distribution of this population is a result of habitat selection and historical human-mediated impacts. We suggest that mature forest habitats, close proximity to ridge tops, and steep slopes are key habitat requirements for this species. A large amount of suitable habitat is available for Cook’s Petrel on Little Barrier Island and the recent removal of introduced predators is expected to result in an expansion of this population. The results of the current study provide useful information to aid in the restoration of former colony sites on other islands and the New Zealand mainland.


Acknowledgements

The Ecology, Evolution, and Behaviour Group at the University Of Auckland, School of Biological Sciences, funded this research, whereas Matt Rayner was supported by a New Zealand Tertiary Education Commission Bright Futures Scholarship. Many thanks go to the Department of Conservation for granting access to Little Barrier Island and for transport on the departmental boat Hauturu. This project would not have been possible without the logistical support and field experience of Department of Conservation staff Rosalie Stamp, Richard Griffiths, Pete and Helen Barrow and Hugh Gardiner. We are equally grateful to volunteers Mike Anderson, James Andrews, Mark Green, Darryl Jeffries, Troy Makan, Wendy Rayner, Cleo Rothschild and Jono Walter whose sweat and blood were exuded in equal amounts across challenging terrain. Thanks go to Allen Rodrigo and Steven Miller for statistical help and to Brendan Dunphy, Emma Marks, Rose Thorogood, Mike Imber, and three anonymous referees whose comments vastly improved this manuscript. Work was conducted under a Department of Conservation Research Permit and with ethics approval from the University of Auckland Animal Ethics Committee.


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