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Results for “Notornis”

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5 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1998

Foods of Buller's shearwaters (Puffinus bulleri) associated with driftnet fisheries in the central North Pacific Ocean

We examined digestive tract contents and stable nitrogen isotope ratios (??15N) in breast muscles of Buller's shearwaters (Puffinus bulleri) salvaged from squid and largemesh driftnets in the central North Pacific Ocean. The epipelagic Pacific saury (Cololabis saira) was the predominant prey, making up 71% of prey mass in digestive tracts. The remainder of the diet included small numbers of crustaceans, small fishes, and squids. The high degree of specialization in the diet seems to indicate that in the North Pacific, Buller's Shearwaters usually feed at or near the water surface and rarely pursue food under water. Although these birds have been observed feeding on scraps from fishing vessels, our data suggest that offal comprises less than 10% of the diet. Stable nitrogen isotope values provided quantified information on the timing of arrival of migrants into the North Pacific.

Notornis↗
USGS2004

First record of laughing gull (Larus atricilla) in French Polynesia

On 6 March 2003 at 0800 h and again at 1300 h, while preparing for biological surveys in the Tuamotu and Gambier archipelagos of French Polynesia, we observed an immature gull flying in Rikitea harbor on Mangareva in the Gambier Islands. On both occasions we observed the gull for several minutes at distances as close as 20 m while it flew around the waterfront. It was a medium-sized gull, with long, pointed wings. The head was white with dark streaks and smudging on the nape. The bill was dark and of moderate length and thickness. The back and inner secondaries were dark grey, and the outer secondaries and primaries were a mottled dusky grey-brown. There was a complete, broad, dark band across the tip of the tail. These characters, particularly the long, pointed wings and broad tail band, led us to conclude that the bird was a laughing gull ( Larus atricilla ) in first winter plumage. Franklin’s gull ( L. pipixcan ) is similar in appearance and has been reported previously in several Pacific island groups (King 1967; Pratt et al. 1987), but can be distinguished from L. atricilla by its slightly smaller size, smaller bill, and narrower, incomplete tail band (Sibley 2000).

Notornis↗
USGS1992

Distribution, numbers, and habitat of Bristle-thighed Curlews ( Numinous tahitiensis ) on Rangiroa atoll

We assessed the numbers, distribution, and habitat of Bristle-tithed Curlews ( Numinous tahitiensis ) on Rangiroa Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, during a visit in April 1988. We estimated a total of 250-350 curlews on the atoll. These birds were seen only on the southern and western rims, where they were most common on (1) saltpans within clusters of small islets and (2) narrow channels between islets that were bordered by shrubs and herb mats. The distribution of curlews on Rangiroa appeared to be determined by the distribution of humans and their commensal animals and by the availability of habitats. Given the species' relatively low numbers, low reproductive rate, and prebasic moult which, for some adults, entails a flightless period, conservation and management efforts must begin on the non-breeding grounds. These efforts should focus on reducing or eliminating potential mortality factors such as subsistence harvest, introduced predators, and contaminants. Countries throughout the species' non-breeding range are encouraged to be active in these efforts.

French Polynesia↗