Reduced boat fares for Supporters
Date posted: 13-Apr-2012
From the 360 Discovery Team: 360 Discovery is pleased to be able to offer you a special offer on..
Stars of Tiritiri
Date posted: 22-Mar-2012
Join the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi and amateur astronomers on Saturday 28th April for a spe..
2012 Photo competition
Date posted: 16-Mar-2012
Yet again we are running our almost famous photo competition on the island so please get your ca..
Ornithology to play at Tiri Kokako Concert
Date posted: 07-Mar-2012
To celebrate our kokako and bring Kokako Week to a fitting climax, we have a great concert lined..
Art for kokako week
Date posted: 27-Feb-2012
Artwork for our Kokako Week event is now being delivered to the Island by our visiting artists a..
Kokako Celebration Week
Date posted: 03-Feb-2012
This year's 'Celebration Week species' is the kokako. Once again, we have the kokako-inspired wo..
Pied Shag - possible new breeding species
Date posted: 29-Dec-2011
Pied Shags are a common sight on Tiritiri Matangi, sometimes feeding on the seas around the Isla..
Kokako Update
Date posted: 23-Dec-2011
Congratulations to Te Koha Waiata and Cloudsley Shovel. After two unsuccessful seasons our found..
Wetapunga on Tiri
Date posted: 14-Dec-2011
The 10th December was a special day on the Island with the arrival of wetapunga on Tiri...
Kokako Update
Date posted: 23-Nov-2011
So far this season the kokako team have found the nests of three pairs: Cloudsley Shovel and TKW..
Brown Teal
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Scientific name: |
Anas chlorotis |
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Maori Name: |
pateke |
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Conservation status |
Protected threatened endemic |
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Mainland status: |
Mainly in Northland, a few elsewhere |
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Size: |
48cm, 600g (males), 500g (females) |
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Lifespan: |
6+ years recorded in the wild |
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Breeding: |
June – October |
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Diet: |
Mainly aquatic or marine invertebrates |
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First introduced to Tiri: |
1987 |
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Population on Tiri: |
25 to 30 (March 2004) |
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Total population: |
c1300 (1999) |
The brown teal is a warm brown with a dark brown mottled breast, brown eyes with a narrow white eye-ring. Bill is blue-black. The breeding male has a glossy green head with a narrow white collar and a white flank patch.
The brown teal is one of the world's rarer ducks. It was once common but declined in numbers due to predation (cats, dogs and mustelids) as well as a loss of habitat. It was also hunted until protection in 1921.
The brown teal calls differ between the sexes. The males give soft, high pitched wheezy whistles and popping calls, the females give low quacks and growls.
Brown teal are strongly territorial during the breeding season. The nest is a bowl of grass under tussock or fern. The male guards the territory while the female incubates and subsequently raises the brood.
Brown teal eat mainly aquatic or marine invertebrates but on Tiritiri Matangi they have been observed eating vegetation.
Brown teal were first released on Tiri in 1987 and again in 1989. Since then they have struggled. They did breed regularly but chicks have a high mortality rate due to predation, probably from eels, pukeko, black backed gulls and harrier hawks. Some birds may leave the island of their own accord, especially males may migrate to nearby estuaries for the winter intending to return for the next breeding season. It is possible that they are predated during this time. Some have died of suspected botulism.
Seven birds (5 males, 2 females) were translocated to Tiritiri Matangi on Saturday 22 June 2002. Single males were released in areas currently habited by lone females and 2 sets of pairs were released. The dams to receive the new brown teal were Wharf Dam, Pumphouse Dam, Fisherman's Bay Dam, and Pohutakawa Dam. These birds have all been fitted with transmitters and will be closely monitored by a research student. There was a further release of 4 birds on 25 July 2002. Unfortunately, as at 18 August, at least 4 of these birds have been predated, presumably by harrier hawk. Monitoring continues.
Photography by: Barbara Hughes © (top right), Val Smytheman © (bottom left)
References: Heather, B.D.; Robertson, H.A. 2000 The Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand. Auckland, Viking.