Abstract for presentation at Biodiversity Extinction Crisis Conference - A Pacific Response

The genus Cyanoramphus is widespread among South Pacific archipelagos. Based on molecular analyses, eight extant species are recognized. New Zealand is the centre of diversity, with six species present. Five of these are listed by the IUCN under different categories of threat mainly as a result of predation by alien mammals. In fact there have been more extinctions of Cyanoramphus taxa than any other South Pacific parrot genera. Knowledge of their ecology and conservation status is incomplete due to the scarcity of field studies and the limited distribution of most taxa. We present a synthesis of studies on different aspects of New Zealand parakeets to summarize the state of knowledge for this genus. New Zealand parakeets are found in a diversity of habitats and feed on a wide variety of plant items as well as invertebrates and some vertebrates, an unusual feature among parrots. Seasonal trends in diet have been recorded as well as vertical movements between forest strata, possibly related to changes in food availability, which seems to greatly affect reproductive timing and outcome. Unlike most Psittaciformes New Zealand parakeets make use of diverse nesting places ranging from ground holes to high canopy cavities. Eradication of alien predators and translocations of parakeets to predator-free sites are key elements in the conservation of Cyanoramphus. In the last 95 years numerous translocations have occurred but the degree of success at establishing self-sustaining populations varies between sites. Our current research focuses on developing models of population growth for translocated populations.