Invasion of the Bird Snatchers A Historical Look at the Impact of Introduced Mammals on New Zealand's Native Avifauna

Evan Miller

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Avifauna, New Zealand, Mammals

Area of Concentration

Environmental Studies

Abstract

New Zealand�s geographical isolation from other landmasses created a unique avifauna on the island, avifauna that lacked many of the defense mechanisms that would make it possible for them to survive attack by ground predators. After human colonization, including Maori and European settlement, various exotic mammals were introduced to the land. Following the introduction of mammals that were able to establish themselves in New Zealand, 48% of all native birds have become extinct, primarily due to predation by exotic species. Past research has identified Brushtail possums, rats, stoats, and feral animals such as housecats as the primary predators of native birds in New Zealand. All previously named species prey on birds, including chicks, ground nests, and in some cases, adult birds. Species such as brushtail possums also compete with avifauna for available resources. The history of conservation in New Zealand started quite early, with the concern for native species beginning in the late 1800�s. Today, the Department of Conservation is responsible for management of all endemic bird life and management of various exotic threats. Management tools include poisons, traps, hunting, and other methods for reducing threat numbers. The DOC manages endemic birdlife on offshore islands and on the mainland using secluded reserves that undergo ongoing maintenance. The efforts of the DOC and the work of New Zealand citizens has saved many endemic birds on the brink of extinction.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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