Island Conservation
New research finds that the Extinct-in-the-wild Hawaiian Crow can teach itself how to use tools. Hawaiian Crows, also called ‘Alalā, once thrived in the dry and wet forest habitats of Hawai’i’s islands. The native birds preyed on invertebrates and also consumed the islands’ native fruits. Unfortunately, the ‘Alalā began to struggle for survival when habitat loss and pressure […]
The Million Dollar Mouse team is monitoring Antipodes Island’s native birds to compare population sizes before and after removal of invasive mice. One way to measure the effects of conservation fieldwork is to track the wildlife expected to benefit from restoration. On Antipodes Island, restoration specialists with the Million Dollar Mouse project banded native Pipits and Albatross chicks, […]
A remote island off of New Zealand offers South Island Robins protection from invasive predators. South Island Robins are an iconic and beloved native species of New Zealand. Unfortunately, the quaint songbird faces threats posed by invasive predators. In an effort to protect the native bird species, conservationists relocated South Island Robins to the remote Chalky […]
Endangered Kiwi chick hatches at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia. The Kiwi is an important native bird of New Zealand. The feathered yet flightless creature was named by the Maori–the first people to ever live in New Zealand. The Kiwi is integral to Maori culture and considered sacred. It traditionally served as an occasional food […]
Critically Endangered Kākāpō, the world’s heaviest parrot, has had a much-needed breeding success this year. This breeding season, 37 Kākāpō chicks are surviving on predator-free island sanctuaries. The charming New Zealand native experienced a dangerous population decline in recent years due to the introduction of invasive predators. The Kākāpō is flightless–it lives and forages peacefully on […]
Plaster of Paris seabird models are being used to encourage Little Terns to nest. Little Terns are seabirds that are found throughout Europe and in parts of Africa, India, New Zealand. Little Terns are migratory birds, and they travel to favorable nesting sites when breeding season comes around. Unfortunately, highly-populated beaches that serve as nesting […]
As part of a recovery program, two Critically Endangered Kakapo chicks have been flown in a helicopter to a sanctuary on Codfish Island, New Zealand. There they will spend three months in an enclosure that ensures their protection from predators. Conservationists are working hard to help the Kakapo thrive in the wild. New Zealand Conservation […]