Chick Timer™ software proves an accurate disturbance minimising tool for monitoring hatching success in little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii)

Abstract

Measuring hatching success in birds is important for assessing population viability, but nests are often cryptic and may be abandoned if birds are disturbed during nesting. We evaluated the suitability of Wildtech New Zealand Ltd's Chick Timer™ radio telemetry software for monitoring hatching success in little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii). The software provided accurate reports of activity levels and times of nest emergence by adult birds. Eighty four per cent of incubation attempts and 70% of first hatching events were detected, with no false indications of incubation or hatching. Our results suggest that this technology will facilitate studies of hatching success in little spotted kiwi and other large birds with cryptic or inaccessible nests. A ground truthing study such as this one, however, is required before full implementation of the software in any species.

Keywords:

• hatching success
• radio telemetry
• nest monitoring
• nest abandonment
• cryptic
• kiwi

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the assistance and advice of John Wilks, Hugh Robertson and Rogan Colbourne throughout this study; Raewyn Epsom and the staff of Zealandia for access to kiwi and permission to use the sanctuary as a study site; Tristam Price for camera operation and maintenance; Judy Briggs, Erin Daldry, Andrew Digby, Karen Koopu, Judi Miller and Linton Miller for their assistance with observations and monitoring of LSK and two anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments on the manuscript. This study was supported by funding from the Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Victoria University of Wellington, the New Zealand Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trust.

Handling and sampling of kiwi was carried out under research permits from the New Zealand Department of Conservation (WE/31248/FAU) and Zealandia Sanctuary with approval of the Victoria University of Wellington Animal Ethics Committee, Waiorua Bay Trust, Kaitiaki o Kapiti Trust, and Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust.

Notes

1. Chick Timer™ software is a commercial product that was not designed by the authors. Researchers interested in using Chick Timer™ software in their own studies should contact John Wilks at Wildtech at [email protected]