Evidence of lizard predation by New Zealand kingfishers (Todiramphus sanctus vagans) and potential implications for threatened species translocations

Abstract

Dietary analyses were carried out on four species of native birds on Tiritiri Matangi and Motuora Islands, New Zealand, between February 2007 and February 2008. We examined regurgitated pellets of kingfishers, moreporks and swamp harriers, and the faeces of pukeko. Remains of lizards were found in 88% and 43% of regurgitated kingfisher pellets on Tiritiri Matangi and Motuora, respectively. All remains belonged to one species, Oligosoma moco. No evidence of lizard predation was found for the other three bird species. Translocation of lizards to areas supporting a high abundance of kingfishers should take avian predation risk into account. © 2012 The Royal Society ot New Zealand.