Yes, there are crane birds found in New Zealand. The most common species of crane found in New Zealand is the South Island Crane. The South Island Crane (Grus rubicunda) is an endangered species endemic to New Zealand’s South Island.
Some quick facts about the South Island Crane:
– The South Island Crane is New Zealand’s only native crane species.
– These large birds stand around 1 meter tall and have a wingspan of 2 meters.
– Their plumage is grey with a red patch on the crown of their head.
– South Island Cranes are omnivorous, feeding on insects, seeds, fruit, frogs, lizards and more.
– They breed near wetlands and build nests of reeds and grasses on the ground near water.
– Historic habitat loss and degradation has led to a population decline. Only around 260 individuals remain in the wild today.
– The South Island Crane is classified as Nationally Critical on the New Zealand Threat Classification list.
Distribution and Habitat
South Island Cranes are endemic to New Zealand’s South Island. Their breeding habitat centers around the river valleys and wetlands of Canterbury and Otago.
Some key areas for South Island Crane populations include:
Region | Key Sites |
Canterbury Plains | Hakataramea River, Upper Waitaki River |
Mackenzie Basin | Ahuriri River, Lake Ohau |
Central Otago | Manorburn Dam, Lake Dunstan |
During the winter months, some South Island Crane populations migrate to eastern and northern areas of the South Island. However, their movements are poorly understood.
South Island Cranes favor habitats that provide access to food sources like wetlands, riverbeds, grasslands and agricultural fields. Nesting occurs in secluded wetlands with dense, tall vegetation.
Some threats to crane habitat include:
– Drainage of wetlands for development
– River regulation from hydroelectric dams leading to fluctuating water levels
– Agricultural expansion and intensification
– Predators like cats, stoats and ferrets that raid nests
Diet and Feeding
The South Island Crane is an omnivorous generalist, feeding on a wide variety of plant and animal matter. Their diet includes:
– Insects: beetles, caterpillars, grasshoppers, crickets, cicadas
– Earthworms
– Spiders
– Snails and slugs
– Lizards and frogs
– Seeds and leaves of pasture grasses and sedges
– Berries and fruits
– Grains like wheat and barley
South Island Cranes are visual foragers. They walk slowly through wetlands and grasslands scanning for prey. Their long bills are used to probe in soil and probe in vegetation to capture hidden prey.
In agricultural areas, South Island Cranes will readily feed on crops like cereal grains and seed potatoes. This can sometimes bring them into conflict with farmers.
Cranes need to drink water daily. River and wetlands provide important drinking sources. South Island Cranes are wary birds but can become habituated to human presence when feeding in areas like pasture or cropland.
Breeding and Nesting
The breeding season for South Island Cranes runs from September through January. They are monogamous birds with pairs staying together from one year to the next.
Nesting occurs in secluded wetlands with dense, tall vegetation. This allows the sitting crane to remain concealed from predators. Pairs build nests together out of grasses, reeds, rushes and mosses.
Nests are platforms raised above the water level in wetlands. This protects the eggs and chicks from rising water levels or floods. The nests are often reused and added to over successive years.
Egg Laying and Incubation
The female South Island Crane lays 1-3 pale greenish-blue eggs. The eggs are large, averaging 10-13 cm long and 6-8 cm wide.
Both the male and female take turns incubating the eggs. Incubation lasts around 30 days before hatching. The chicks are precocial meaning they are relatively well-developed and leave the nest within 1-2 days.
Raising Chicks
South Island Crane chicks are covered in golden brown down. They are able to walk and feed themselves soon after hatching but remain dependent on their parents.
The chicks fledge at around 3 months old but continue associating with their parents for up to 9 months after fledging. Parents and offspring may remain together and migrate as a family group.
Young cranes do not breed until they are 3-5 years old. The long parental care and delayed breeding contributes to the South Island Crane’s slow reproductive rate.
Population Status and Threats
The South Island Crane has experienced a substantial population decline since human colonization of New Zealand. Habitat loss and introduced predators have taken a heavy toll.
Historically, South Island Cranes ranged over much of the eastern South Island from Marlborough to Southland. Today only isolated remnants cling on in Otago and Canterbury.
Surveys suggest a total population of only 260 individuals. The South Island Crane is classified as Nationally Critical with an extremely high risk of extinction.
Population Trends
This table summarizes population surveys for the South Island Crane since the 1990s:
Year | Estimated Population |
1992 | 110-150 |
1999 | 130-160 |
2012 | 200-250 |
2019 | 260 |
While numbers have slightly increased in recent decades, the South Island Crane remains critically endangered. Challenges persist around breeding success and survivorship.
Threats
Some of the major threats facing South Island Crane populations:
– Habitat loss from wetland drainage and river management
– Predation on eggs and chicks by introduced species like cats, stoats and ferrets
– Competition for food and habitat with introduced bird species
– Farming activities like irrigation, cultivation and grazing regimes
– Human disturbance during the breeding season
– Small population effects like inbreeding depression
Ongoing conservation efforts aim to boost breeding success while addressing these threats to the species. But the South Island Crane remains on the brink of extinction in the wild.
Conservation Efforts
A national recovery plan guides conservation efforts for the South Island Crane. Key initiatives focus on:
– Habitat protection and restoration
– Boosting breeding success through predator control and nest monitoring
– Working with landowners and agencies on sustainable land use practices
– Public education programs and awareness campaigns
– Population surveys and banding to track cranes
– Investigating causes of low productivity like poor diet or disease
– Managing human disturbance near nesting sites
Captive breeding has also been attempted but with limited success so far. Challenges include high chick mortality rates and bonding captive-reared birds with wild cranes.
Successes
Some successful conservation efforts that have aided South Island Crane recovery:
– Habitat restored at Lake Whataroa by weed control and water level management
– Rat and stoat control leading to increased chick survival at Lake Ohau
– Construction of artificial nesting islands at Tasman River to limit predator access
– Engagement with farmers to protect nests and feeding areas
Future Outlook
The outlook for South Island Cranes remains concerning. However, ongoing conservation initiatives provide some hope.
Urgent priorities include increasing breeding success and reducing chick mortality. Continued habitat protection and restoration is also critical.
With intensive management, the species may recover and be downlisted to Endangered. But risks remain high for New Zealand’s iconic crane. Its future survival remains in doubt without major conservation intervention.
Conclusion
In summary, the South Island Crane is New Zealand’s only native crane species. Around 260 individuals cling on, mostly centered in Otago and Canterbury.
Wetland habitat loss and introduced predators have driven a substantial population decline. The species is now Nationally Critical with an extremely high risk of extinction.
Ongoing conservation efforts are trying to boost breeding success and protect critical habitats. But the South Island Crane remains on the brink, requiring major intervention to secure its future survival.
The crane is an iconic part of New Zealand’s natural heritage. With adequate habitat and reduced threats, hopefully the species can recover from its precarious position. But the conservation outlook remains uncertain for this critically endangered endemic crane.