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Yellowhead (bird)
Encyclopedia
The Yellowhead or Mohua (Mohoua ochrocephala) is a small insectivorous, passerine
bird endemic to the South Island
of New Zealand
. Recent classification places this species and its close relative, the Whitehead
, in the Whistler family Pachycephalidae
.
The Yellowhead and the Whitehead have sympatric distributions as, conversely, the latter is found only on the North island
and several small islands surrounding it. Although abundant in the 19th century, particularly in beech
forests from Nelson
and the Marlborough Sounds
to Southland
and Stewart Island/Rakiura
, they declined dramatically in the early 20th century due to the introduction of black rats and mustelids. Today they have vanished from nearly 75% of their former range. A quarter of the mohua population now lives in the beech forests of the Catlins area.
and Ulva Island
.
Pest control efforts by the Department of Conservation
, have managed to stabilise some mainland Mohua populations. For example, where biodegradable 1080 poison was used to control rats in the Dart valley, there was a more than 80 per cent survival rate, compared with just 10 per cent in un-treated areas. The population of Mohua in the Landsborough
valley has increased four-fold since 1998, thanks to an intensive programme of pest control, including aerial 1080. The population is now strong enough for birds to be transferred out to establish a new population on Resolution Island
. Similar aerial 1080 operations in the Catlins and the Hurunui
, Hawdon
and Eglinton
valleys have had equally encouraging results.
.
Passerine
A passerine is a bird of the order Passeriformes, which includes more than half of all bird species. Sometimes known as perching birds or, less accurately, as songbirds, the passerines form one of the most diverse terrestrial vertebrate orders: with over 5,000 identified species, it has roughly...
bird endemic to the South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Recent classification places this species and its close relative, the Whitehead
Whitehead (bird)
The Whitehead or Pōpokotea is a small species of passerine bird endemic to New Zealand...
, in the Whistler family Pachycephalidae
Pachycephalidae
The family Pachycephalidae, collectively the whistlers, includes the whistlers, shrike-thrushes, shrike-tits, pitohuis and Crested Bellbird, and is part of the ancient Australo-Papuan radiation of songbirds. Its members range from small to medium in size, and occupy most of Australasia...
.
The Yellowhead and the Whitehead have sympatric distributions as, conversely, the latter is found only on the North island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
and several small islands surrounding it. Although abundant in the 19th century, particularly in beech
Beech
Beech is a genus of ten species of deciduous trees in the family Fagaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia and North America.-Habit:...
forests from Nelson
Nelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
and the Marlborough Sounds
Marlborough Sounds
The Marlborough Sounds are an extensive network of sea-drowned valleys created by a combination of land subsidence and rising sea levels at the north of the South Island of New Zealand...
to Southland
Southland Region
Southland is New Zealand's southernmost region and is also a district within that region. It consists mainly of the southwestern portion of the South Island and Stewart Island / Rakiura...
and Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura
Stewart Island/Rakiura is the third-largest island of New Zealand. It lies south of the South Island, across Foveaux Strait. Its permanent population is slightly over 400 people, most of whom live in the settlement of Oban.- History and naming :...
, they declined dramatically in the early 20th century due to the introduction of black rats and mustelids. Today they have vanished from nearly 75% of their former range. A quarter of the mohua population now lives in the beech forests of the Catlins area.
Conservation
In New Zealand, Mohua have the status of a protected threatened endemic species. Conservation efforts are being made to ensure its survival and Mohua populations have been established on several predator-free offshore islands, such as Breaksea Island in FiordlandFiordland
Fiordland is a geographic region of New Zealand that is situated on the south-western corner of the South Island, comprising the western-most third of Southland. Most of Fiordland is dominated by the steep sides of the snow-capped Southern Alps, deep lakes and its ocean-flooded, steep western valleys...
and Ulva Island
Ulva Island, New Zealand
Ulva Island is a small island about long lying within Paterson Inlet, which is part of Stewart Island/Rakiura in New Zealand. It has an area of about , the majority of which is public land...
.
Pest control efforts by the Department of Conservation
New Zealand Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
, have managed to stabilise some mainland Mohua populations. For example, where biodegradable 1080 poison was used to control rats in the Dart valley, there was a more than 80 per cent survival rate, compared with just 10 per cent in un-treated areas. The population of Mohua in the Landsborough
Landsborough River
The Landsborough River is located in New Zealand's South Island. A major tributary of the Haast River, it flows southwest, parallel with the Southern Alps, for 50 kilometres from its source five kilometres north of Mount Hopkins to meet the Haast 12 kilometres below the Haast Pass.In April 2005 the...
valley has increased four-fold since 1998, thanks to an intensive programme of pest control, including aerial 1080. The population is now strong enough for birds to be transferred out to establish a new population on Resolution Island
Resolution Island, New Zealand
Resolution Island is the largest island in Fiordland region of southwest New Zealand, covering a total of . It is the country's seventh largest island...
. Similar aerial 1080 operations in the Catlins and the Hurunui
Hurunui River
The Hurunui River is the fourth largest of the four principal rivers in north Canterbury, New Zealand, with a catchment area of 2,670 square kilometres. The river flows from the eastern side of the Southern Alps, to the Pacific Ocean....
, Hawdon
Hawdon River
The Hawdon River is a river of New Zealand. One of the headwaters of Canterbury's Waimakariri River, it flows south through Arthur's Pass National Park, reaching the Waimakariri to the north of the settlement of Cass....
and Eglinton
Eglinton River
The Eglinton River is located in the region of Southland in the southwest of New Zealand. It flows through Fiordland National Park for 50 kilometres...
valleys have had equally encouraging results.
Popular culture
The Yellowhead appears on the reverse side of the New Zealand $100 noteBanknotes of the New Zealand dollar
-Pre-dollar:Prior to 10 July 1967, the New Zealand pound, using the £sd system, was the main currency of New Zealand. Since 1934, banknotes of the New Zealand pound were issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and came in denominations of 10s, £1, £5, £10, and £50.-First issue: 1967 -...
.
External links
- BirdLife Species Factsheet
- Mohua factfile - Department of ConservationNew Zealand Department of ConservationThe Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
website - Operation Ark
- Information about the use of 1080 poison for pest control in New Zealand
- Saving mohua in Westland (video) - Department of ConservationNew Zealand Department of ConservationThe Department of Conservation , commonly known by its acronym, "DOC", is the state sector organisation which deals with the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage...
- The Last Mohua - Forest and Bird feature
- 1080 and mouhua - information for Maori Tai Raukawa website
- Declines in common, widespread native birds in a mature temperate forest Graeme P. Elliott A., Peter R. Wilson B., Rowley H. Taylor B., Jacqueline R. Beggs C. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered