Flesh-footed Shearwaters Research Articles

An Ecological Reconnaissance of Coppermine Island, hen and chickens group

Summary The vegetation of Coppermine Island consists mainly of coastal scrub and pohutukawa-dominated forest on the steep slopes and kanuka scrub and forest on the upper ridges. Also present is a mahoe-puriri forest associated with a very friable soil that is burrowed by large numbers of flesh-footed shearwaters. This ecosystem has not been found elsewhere and appears to be related to the island§ unusual geology Doth from a wildlife and a scientific standpoint it is particularly important to prevent European rats reaching this island or any other islands of the Chicken group.

Birds v. Rats and Red Deer in New Zealand

Rats and red deer are two of the major hazards that have reduced several species of New Zealand birds to the verge of extinction. The author describes the efforts being made to save these birds, the new threat to Coppermine Island, main breeding ground of the flesh-footed shearwater, where tuataras share the shearwaters’ burrows, and the more hopeful outlook for the takahe.

The Fleshy-footed Shearwater (Puffinus carneipes)

The Fleshy-footed Shearwater (<i>Puffinus carneipes</i>)