Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae
| Kingdom |
Phylum |
Class |
Order |
Family |
| ANIMALIA |
CHORDATA |
AVES |
PSITTACIFORMES |
PSITTACIDAE |
| Scientific Name: |
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae |
| Species Authority: |
(Sparrman, 1787) |
Common Name/s:
| English |
– |
Red-fronted Parakeet |
|
| Taxonomic Notes: |
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into C. novaezelandiae and C. saisseti following Boon et al. (2001), spelling follows Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993).
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Assessment Information
[top]
| Red List Category & Criteria: |
Vulnerable
B1ab(i,ii,v)
ver 3.1
|
| Year Published: |
2012 |
| Assessor/s: |
BirdLife International |
| Reviewer/s: |
Butchart, S. & Symes, A. |
| Contributor/s: |
Harper, G. & Hitchmough, R. |
Justification:
This species is listed as Vulnerable because it occupies a small and declining range, in which it is known from only a few locations. The extinction of its mainland populations effectively isolated the remaining island populations, and their effective population sizes are now several orders of magnitude smaller.
|
| History: |
| 2008 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 2005 |
– |
Vulnerable
|
| 2004 |
– |
Least Concern
|
| 2000 |
– |
Not Recognized
|
| 1994 |
– |
Not Recognized
|
| 1988 |
– |
Not Recognized
|
|
Geographic Range
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| Range Description: |
Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae is known from New Zealand, where it was historically extremely abundant on the mainland but is now effectively extinct (recent records are now believed to be cage escapes/releases or vagrants from offshore island populations). Populations currently exist on the Kermadec islands, Three Kings, some Hauraki Gulf islands, Kapiti Island, Stewart Island and surrounding islands, Chatham Islands, Snares, Antipodes Islands, and as a hybrid swarm (with Yellow-crowned Parakeet C. auriceps) on Auckland Islands. The races from Lord Howe Island (subflavescens) and Macquarie Island (erythrotis) went extinct at the end of the 19th century (Hindwood 1940, Taylor 1979). Past population estimates suggest the total population was in excess of 20,000 individuals, but historically the island populations were part of an effectively panmictic population. When the mainland linking populations became extinct, the island populations became isolated, and their effective population sizes are now much reduced. Declines are likely to be taking place on Stewart Island (by inference from measured declines of other species, owing to rat and cat predation), although any decline has been minimal (G. Harper in litt. 2005).
|
| Countries: |
Regionally extinct: Australia
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| Range Map: |
Click here to open the map viewer and explore range. |
Population
[top]
| Population: |
The population has been estimated to number 21,300-25,300 individuals (Higgins 1999), thus the number of mature individuals is put at 14,000-25,000. However, a more up-to-date estimate is required.
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| Population Trend: |
Decreasing
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Habitat and Ecology
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| Habitat and Ecology: |
It occurs in a wide variety of habitats, including dense temperate rainforests, coastal forest, scrubland, forest edges and open areas. It usually only breeds in native vegetation, preferring larger trees, particularly Metrosideros, Vitex, Nothofagus, Olearia and Plagianthus. It nests in hollow limbs, holes or stumps of trees, but will also use holes in cliffs, holes or burrows in the ground, and holes and tunnels in tussocks, particularly where there are no trees or trees are small. It is omnivorous, feeding mainly on plant material but also on invertebrates, and will occasionally scavenge animal carrion. It prefers to feed in the canopy, but in open habitats feeds on the ground. Birds regularly move between islets in island groups, and can cross wide expanses of sea.
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| Systems: |
Terrestrial |
| Major Threat(s): |
The species is adversely affected by forestry operations: clear-felling and burning have drastically reduced available habitat, and selective logging may reduce the number of trees with suitable nesting holes and foraging opportunities. Irruptions in the 19th century may have been caused by increased cultivation of crops by European settlers. It was hunted for food by Maori, and was formerly persecuted because birds damaged crops and gardens. It may suffer through competition for food or breeding sites with introduced species (such as the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis, Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius, Crimson Rosella P. elegans, common brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula and honey bees Apis mellifera). Introduced predators such as cats, rats and stoats may also impact the species. An outbreak of beak-and-feather disease has been confirmed in the population on Little Barrier Island. This has the potential to cause significant mortality, although effects on the C. novaezelandiae population have not yet been studied (Ortiz-Catedral et al. 2009).
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Conservation Actions
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| Conservation Actions: |
Conservation Actions Underway
There have been efforts to aid the recovery of the species, including the eradication of predators and translocation of founding populations to islands free of predators (Catedral and Brunton 2006). In 2004, a research project was initiated on Tiritiri Matangi Island to investigate the reproductive biology of the species and improve conservation practices (Catedral and Brunton 2006). The island also provides a place for education and public awareness campaigns.
Conservation Actions Proposed
Preserve areas of habitat important to remaining populations. Carry out research to determine the current population size and trends. Conduct research into the impact of introduced predators on populations. Carry out control measures on introduced predators, if appropriate.
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