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Xenicus gilviventris
– Vulnerable
Taxonomy
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Kingdom:
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ANIMALIA
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Phylum:
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CHORDATA
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Class:
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AVES
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Order:
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PASSERIFORMES
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Family:
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ACANTHISITTIDAE
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Scientific Name:
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Xenicus gilviventris
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Species Authority:
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Pelzeln, 1867
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Common Name/s:
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| English | — | SOUTH ISLAND WREN |
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Taxonomic Notes:
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'South Island Wren' used as common name following Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993) as the name 'Rock Wren' (as used in BirdLife International [2000, 2004]) is taken by Salpinctes obsoletus.
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Assessment Information
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Red List Category & Criteria:
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VU C1+2a(i) ver 3.1 (2001)
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Year Assessed:
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2005
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Assessor/s:
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BirdLife International
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Evaluator/s:
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Butchart, S., Stattersfield, A. (BirdLife International Red List Authority) & Hitchmough, R. (Dept. of Conservation)
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Justification:
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This species has a small and fragmented population that is now estimated to be undergoing a decline owing to heavy nest predation. It has therefore been uplisted to Vulnerable.
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History:
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| 1988 | - | Lower Risk/least concern (BirdLife International 2004) |
| 1994 | - | Lower Risk/near threatened (Collar, Crosby and Stattersfield 1994) |
| 2000 | - | Lower Risk/near threatened (BirdLife International 2000) |
| 2004 | - | Near Threatened (BirdLife International 2004) |
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Geographic Range
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Range Description:
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Xenicus gilviventris is endemic to New Zealand. Once found in the North Island prior to European settlement, it is now restricted to the South Island, where it ranges from north-west Nelson, down through Westland and the Southern Alps, to Fiordland2. It has been described as locally common2, but its distribution is fragmented, and a recent analysis of sightings indicates that about 20% of known localities have had no sightings in the past 20 years3. Its population is estimated to number fewer than 10,000 individuals4.
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Countries:
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Native:
New Zealand
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Population
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Population Trend:
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Habitat and Ecology
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Habitat and Ecology:
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Populations are confined to alpine and subalpine habitat, on mountain ranges and in valleys above the timberline, between c.920 m and 2,900 m (mostly 1,200 to 2,400 m). It inhabits rocky slopes, including talus, open scree, glacial moraine, fellfields and rocky outcrops, usually vegetated with alpine and subalpine low shrublands. It nests among loose rock or debris, on bluffs or rocky ledges, always close to vegetation. It is insectivorous, but will occasionally take fruits and seeds from alpine vegetation5. Flight is relatively weak, though birds still range over extensive areas of steep mountain terrain1.
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System:
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Terrestrial
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Threats
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Threats:
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The major threat to this species is predation by introduced mammals, house mouse Mus musculus and stoat Mustela erminea, particularly in years when M. erminea populations are high in response to mouse plagues1. The only study on nesting in this species showed significant levels of egg and chick loss to mice and stoat6.
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Conservation Actions
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Conservation Actions:
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Conservation measures underway:
In January 2005, the Department of Conservation relocated 24 individuals from the Murchison Mountains to predator-free Anchor Island in Dusky Sound.
Conservation measures proposed:
Survey to verify population estimates and identify key sites for this species. Carry out predator control programmes at key breeding sites, especially during plague years. Continue the programme of translocation, including considering translocations to Secretary Island in Doubtful Sound.
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