Wildlife Preservation

Brown Teal

• English Name: Brown Teal
• Also Known As: Pateke
• Scientific Name: Anas chlorotis
• Status: Endangered (population Increasing)
• Habitat: Great barrier island and some other offshore islands
• Threats: Cats, and ferrets, habitat loss
• Fun Fact: The Brown Teal is nocturnal.
• Credit: Phillip Capper

The Brown Teal was once widespread throughout New Zealand and other island, but has since been reduced to Great Barrier Island and a couple other remote islands. As the name suggests, the Brown teal is an all brown duck that measures around one and a half feet. The Brown Duck is nocturnal. During the day it resides in grass and vegetation. When the night comes, the Brown Duck forages for worms and aquatic invertebrates.

Brown Teal make nests of grass on the waterfront. Females will lay clutches with an average of six cream brown eggs. The female incubates the eggs while the male acts as a bodyguard attacking all other waterfowl that come close.

While habitat loss is a major threat to the Brown Teal, Stoats and Ferrets are an even bigger problem. Ecology groups are using Goodnature™ humane trapping technology to control Stoats, Ferrets, and other predators that eat the Brown Teal eggs and young.

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Little Penguin

• English Name: Little Penguin
• Scientific Name: Eudyptula minor
• Status: Concern(population decreasing)
• Habitat: Coasts of Australia and New Zealand
• Threats: dogs, cats, foxes, stoats
• Fun Fact: Little Penguins are nocturnal.
• Credit: Public Domain Photography

As the name suggests, Little penguins are the smallest type of penguins weighing in at 1.2KG and growing only 32cm. The plumage of the penguin is a blueish-gray color. These penguins only live around 6-7 years in the wild but in rare cases have lived 25 years in captivity. Little penguins mostly eat small fish.

Little Penguins lay their eggs between July and September. The incubation period lasts about 36 days before the chicks are born. Little penguins take up to 8 weeks to fledge. The Penguins are an extremely curious species. Zoos have noticed that the penguins seem extremely friendly towards keepers. That’s one reason why Zoos typically show Penguin feeding as an exhibit.

Little Penguins have many predators. Some examples include Dogs, Cats, and Foxes. However, Stoats and Ferrets pose the most danger to this species.

Ecology groups are using Goodnature™ humane trapping technology to control Ferrets, Stoats, and other predators that eat Little Penguins.

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North Island Kākā

• English Name: North Island Kākā
• Also Known As: New Zealand Kākā
• Scientific Name: Nestor meridionalis septentrionalis
• Status: Recovering
• Habitat: Forests of New Zealand
• Threats: stoats and possums
• Fun Fact: There are two subspecies of kākā in new Zealand.
• Credit: Rosino

It is said that you can hear the North Island kākā before you see it. The kākā has a grey plumage with patches of red, brown and other colors. The kākā is neither small nor big measuring 18 inches, a common size for a parrot. The kākā lives in mid to high canopy. They travel in large packs of up to 100 birds. The North Island kākā eats mostly berries and invertebrates. It can also use its sharp beak to find sap and seeds from trees.

The North island kākā nests in hollow trees when reproducing. They lay 2-4 eggs per clutch. The female incubates the eggs while the male finds food for the babies. One of the biggest threats to the kākā is Sloats. Sloats prey upon the kākā eggs and young. Ecology groups are using Goodnature™ humane trapping technology to control Stoats, Possums, and other predators that eat the kākā eggs and young.

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North Island Saddleback

• English Name: North Island Saddleback
• Also Known As: Tīeke
• Scientific Name: Philesturnus rufusater
• Status: Recovering
• Habitat: coastal and inland forests in New Zealand and other islands
• Threats: brown rats
• Fun Fact: North Island Saddlebacks mate for life.
• Credit: Francesco Veronesi

North Island Saddlebacks are recognized easily by their red waddle. The Saddleback has a black plumage except for some chestnut patches. North Island Saddlebacks only grow to about 10 inches. The population of North Island Saddlebacks is on the recovery. There were 7000 saddlebacks worldwide when last counted.

Saddlebacks are also know for their calls. Over 200 rhythmical songs have been recorded from the North Island Saddlebacks. These birds are foragers, typically eating berries, insects, and nectar.

North Island Saddlebacks mate for life. Breeding season occurs in Spring and Summer. Artificial nesting boxes are used on some islands to help boost the population. Saddlebacks lay in clutches of up to 4. The female will incubate and brood.

Brown Rats are the main predator of North Island Saddlebacks. Ecology groups are using Goodnature™ humane trapping technology to control Brown Rats and other predators that eat the Kiwi eggs and young.

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Owls

There are over 200 breeds of Owls with most of them being nocturnal. Owls are found in almost all parts of the world except Antarctica and remote islands. Owls are fairly small only growing to at around 2 feet tall with a 1-2 foot wingspan depending on the species. They can also rotate their heads 270 degrees, which is useful for spotting prey. Owls only feed on other animals. They eat insects and lots of rodents.

Owl eggs are large and large and have a white coloring. They lay in clutches of up to 12 eggs although four is the most common number. In some species, Owls do not have one mating partner for life. They frequently mate with many other Owls.

The biggest threat to Owls is Poison. Many rodent traps use poison to kill. Once the Owl eats the rodent, it also digests the poison which kills the Owl. Ecology groups are using Goodnature humane trapping technology to help save Owls and other wildlife.

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Stitchbird

• English Name: Stitchbird
• Also Known As: Hihi
• Scientific Name: Notiomystis cincta
• Status: Not Threatened
• Habitat: Little Barrier Island
• Threats: habitat loss, rats
• Fun Fact: They are the only bird Species that mates face to face.
• Credit: Francesco Veronesi

The Stitchbird is a medium sized songbird found naturally on Little Barrier Island. The population once was around 6,000, but is not expected to exceed 2,000 in the near future. They have a part black part grey plumage with white ear tufts. Stitchbirds also have splotches of black, yellow, and white on their wings. Stitchbirds eat Invertebrates and nectar.

The breeding season for Stitchbirds is in Spring and Summer. They build their nests high up in trees, or use artificial nesting boxes. They lay clutches of an average of three eggs. They can lay clutches 4 times per season.

Rats are a gigantic threat to the Stitchbird. Ecology groups are using Goodnature™ humane trapping technology to control Rats and other predators that threaten the Stitchbird.

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