Aspects of the ecology of Kakapo Strigops habroptilus liberated on little barrier island (Hauturu), New Zealand

Kakapo Strigops habroptilus liberated in 1982 on Little Barrier Island, New Zealand prefer wetter, high-altitude areas. Estimates of home-range size for both males and females are similar to those on Stewart Island, where the birds originated. Poor condition of some birds in the year after their rel...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biological conservation 1991, Vol.56 (3), p.349-365
Main Authors: Moorhouse, Ron J., Powlesland, Ralph G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Strigops habroptilus
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Summary:Kakapo Strigops habroptilus liberated in 1982 on Little Barrier Island, New Zealand prefer wetter, high-altitude areas. Estimates of home-range size for both males and females are similar to those on Stewart Island, where the birds originated. Poor condition of some birds in the year after their release appears to have been primarily related to a drought at that time. No indication was found of nesting by females, despite males attaining breeding condition. This could be due to sexual differences in food requirements. Females may require more time than males to become familiar with the availability of foods required to attain breeding condition. The lack of successful breeding on Little Barrier Island to date means that the ultimate goal of the transfer, the establishment of a new kakapo population, has yet to be realised.
ISSN:0006-3207
1873-2917
DOI:10.1016/0006-3207(91)90066-I