Changes in the breeding status of the southern black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus) colonies on Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Supplementary material
Other Title
Authors
Galbraith, Mel
Krzyżosiak, Jacek
Aguilar, Glenn
Jones, Graham
Oliver, Rob
Author ORCID Profiles (clickable)
Degree
Grantor
Date
2015
Supervisors
Type
Journal Article
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Larus dominicanus (Black-backed gull)
southern black-backed gull
kelp gull
Rangitoto Island (Hauraki Gulf, N.Z.)
population changes
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
Citation
Galbraith, M., Krzyżosiak, J., Aguilar, G., Jones, G., & Oliver, R. (2015). Changes in the breeding status of the southern black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus) colonies on Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Notornis, 62, pp.192-201.
Abstract
The southern black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus) is a common species throughout New Zealand, and has a significant presence in Auckland City. Large colonies are present on Rangitoto Island only 8 km from the city’s centre. The proximity of these colonies to the anthropogenic resources of the city may have influenced breeding locations and local populations. Using field data from the 2012/13 breeding period, we compare the current status of the breeding population on Rangitoto Island with historical data collated from literature. The Rangitoto population exhibited rapid growth throughout the early 20th century, a pattern attributed to environmental changes associated with European settlement and development. Since the 1980s, the colony sizes have declined, a change that is consistent with other gull populations both nationally and globally. The driver of the population changes is likely to be the availability of food and the expansion of vegetation into the colonies. Human disturbance and predation are discounted as impacting on population change.
Publisher
Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc.
Link to ePress publication
DOI
Copyright holder
Ornithological Society of New Zealand Inc.
Copyright notice
© The Ornithological Society of New Zealand, Inc
Copyright license
Available online at