Three new birds on the critical list

NZbirds.com

CRITICALLY ENDANGERED: Top to bottom: the eastern rockhopper penguin, the grey duck, and the grey-headed mollymawk have been added to the list of critically endangered New Zealand birds.

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Three bird species have joined the likes of the kakapo, the black robin and the rowi kiwi on the list of critically endangered New Zealand birds.

The conservation status of 428 birds was assessed by a panel of experts in a three-yearly review to identify those most in need of help.

Panel leader Dr Colin Miskelly of the Conservation Department said of the birds assessed 77 were considered "threatened" and 93 "at risk".

Dr Miskelly said all 21 birds assessed as nationally critical in 2005 remained in the most threatened category, along with three additional species that were quickly declining: the grey duck, the eastern rockhopper penguin and the grey-headed mollymawk.

However, he also said a number of birds had been put into a new 'recovering' category after responding well to conservation management.

"These included little spotted kiwi, Pycroft's petrel, brown teal, variable oystercatcher, and North and South Island saddlebacks," Dr Miskelly said.

"These birds all have populations greater than 1000 individuals and are increasing, and it is great to be able to recognise these success stories."

Dr Miskelly said, overall, 19 birds had improved their status, and 13 had declined.

Those that had declined were mainly seabirds, and birds that used riverbeds and rough farmland - generally killed by fisheries by-catch, changes in oceanic productivity near breeding islands, and changes in land-use.

- NZPA