Whitehead come home to Motuora
Date: 21 April 2008
Whitehead or popokatea, a small endemic bird, were yesterday returned to Motuora Island in the Hauraki Gulf for the first time in around 120 years.
Forty whitehead from neighbouring Tiritiri Matangi were released on the island, marking the next stage of the journey to rebuild a native ecosystem on Motuora. The island is jointly managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Motuora Restoration Society (MRS).
Whitehead, a protected bird, disappeared from the Auckland area in the late 1800’s. They are typically found in the type of native forest now present on Motuora. The island, which was once a farm, is being replanted through a restoration effort led by volunteers.
Whitehead or popokatea
Ray Lowe, Chair of the MRS, said the whitehead release was very rewarding.
“This is the culmination of many, many hours of work by thousands of volunteers. It’s another step towards our dream of seeing this island alive with native birds, reptiles and insects, for present and future generations to enjoy.”
Rory Renwick, DOC biodiversity manager, said it was fantastic to welcome whitehead back to Motuora.
“The fact we have reached this stage is a real tribute the Motuora Restoration Society and the huge amount of work they have done on the island. It’s great to see community involvement in conservation, and this type of work is being echoed right across the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.”
Motuora is free of pests and is already home to a number of species including North Island brown kiwi, Diving petrels, Duvaucel’s geckos and Shore skinks.
ENDS
- Whitehead are found in native forest and older exotic forest in the North Island mainland and on a few offshore islands.
- Males have a white head, pale brown body and black legs, bill and eyes. Females and juveniles have a brownish white head. They are slightly smaller than a sparrow.
- They are often seen hanging upside down to feed on insects.
- Young birds are raised by a group of adults. They are able to breed at one year old, but when population densities are high, most young birds delay breeding and act as helpers instead.
- Whitehead play host to the threatened long-tailed cuckoo. The cuckoo lays its eggs in the whitehead’s nest, and when it hatches, the young bird evicts the host’s eggs and chicks and is then raised alone. The whiteheads continue to feed the cuckoo even though it is about three times as long as them and about nine times their weight.
- Motuora is an 80 hectare island, five kilometres east of Mahurangi Heads, north of Auckland. It plays a key part in Operation Nest Egg, a programme supported by the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust. North Island brown kiwi chicks are sent to Motuora when they hatch, and live there until they are big enough to withstand stoat predation. There are currently an estimated 60 kiwi on the island.
- Motuora is a recreation reserve and visitors are welcome. There is a small campsite and bach, walking tracks and several sandy beaches with safe swimming.