Why did bellbirds (Anthornis m. melanura) return to New Plymouth, and why have they gone again? | Notornis and Birds New Zealand

[摘要] Between the 1850s and the early 1900s, most of the native forest of western Taranaki was systematically destroyed. This destruction likely accounted for the disappearance of bellbirds (Anthornis m. melanura), and other native birds, from most of that area. The return of bellbirds to New Plymouth in the 1920s may have been a direct result of increased food that had become available to them there. However, bellbirds have recently become rare visitors to New Plymouth. This may be the result of a possible reduction in the population of bellbirds in nearby Egmont National Park and/or increasing ambient temperatures in cooler months of the year.

[学科分类] 动物科学

[关键词] Anthornis m. melanura;forest destruction;New Plymouth;population changes;population reduction;possible causes;Taranaki