Animalia Life

Himantopus novaezelandiae
SUBFAMILY
Recurvirostrinae
TAXONOMY
Himantopus novж-zelandiж Gould, 1841, Port Nicholson, North Island, New Zealand. Forms superspecies with H. himantopus sometimes considered conspecific. Monotypic.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Йchasse noire; German: Schwarzer Stelzenlдufer; Spanish: Cigьeсuela Negra.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
14.5–15.7 in (37–40 cm); 7.7 oz (220 g). Long pink legs, distinctive plumage; all black with greenish gloss on back and wings. Shorter legs and longer bill than H. himantopus. Female similar to male, usually shorter legs. Non-breeding adult has grayish white chin and forehead. Juvenile has black wings and back, white below, develops grayish black markings on white areas first winter. Plumage of hybrids with H. h. leucocephalus variable, often with black collar and black markings on belly and breast.
DISTRIBUTION
New Zealand, was widespread but now restricted to MacKenzie Basin central South Island, small numbers winter in North Island.
HABITAT
Ponds, lakeshores, river-beds and swamps of MacKenzie Basin. Some visit coastal estuaries and lagoons outside of the breeding season.
BEHAVIOR
Defends some sort of territory all year, an exception in the Recurvirostrids. Outside of the breeding season more gregarious, though it will still defend feeding territories.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
On riverbed breeding grounds feeds primarily on aquatic insect larvae and small fish. In stiller waters eats various aquatic insects, worms, and mollusks. Probes with bill beneath stones for food, and employs the scything method which is commonly used at night and especially effective with worms.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Seasonal breeder, usually September–January. Lays four eggs in a well-lined nest bowl, near water, usually solitary and will defend territory. Incubation 24–26 days, by both sexes. Fledging 41–55 days, first breeding at two years. In wild many eggs and chicks are eaten by introduced predators.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Critically Endangered. habitat loss, predation on eggs after introduction of carnivorous animals to island, and interbreeding with H. himantopus all contribute to decline. Population crashed in late 1950s from 1,000 birds to fewer than 100, where it remains today. Captive-breeding, anti-predator, and
HABITAT
restoration programs began in the 1980s have had some success in reducing population decline.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.

Other popular Animals