Justification This species is listed as Vulnerable as it is known from fewer than ten locations within a small and declining range. The extinction of its mainland populations effectively isolated the remaining island populations, and their effective population sizes are now several orders of magnitude smaller.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Sparrman, 1787)

Taxonomic source(s) Boon et al. (2001)

Taxonomic note Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into C. novaezelandiae and C. saisetti following Boon et al. (2001).

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

21,000 - 25,300

decreasing

3,500 km²

No

Range & population 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. It is now extinct on Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Islands. 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 minimal².

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.

Threats 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 Common Mynas Acridotheres tristis, Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris, Eastern Rosellas Platycercus eximius, Crimson Rosellas 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.

Conservation measures 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 predators¹. In 2004, a research project was initiated on Tiritiri Matangi Island to investigate the reproductive biology of the species and improve conservation practices¹. The island also provides a place for education and public awareness campaigns.

Conservation measures proposed Preserve areas of habitat important to remaining populations. Carry out research to determine current population size and trends. Conduct research into the impact of introduced predators on populations. Carry out control measures on introduced predators, if appropriate.

References Higgins (1999). 1. Catedral and Brunton (2006). 2. G. Harper in litt. (2005).

Text account compilers Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Grant Harper (Department of Conservation), Rod Hitchmough (Department of Conservation)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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