David Butler

Don Merton

How can you save a bird species from extinction when there are only five individuals left, with just one breeding pair? That was the problem that faced a team from the New Zealand Wildlife Service in 1980, when the outlook for the Chatham Island black robin seemed desperate. Don Merton and his team took the daring step of cross-fostering eggs and young to another species to boost productivity and it worked. A pair of robins, Old Blue and Old Yellow, with the help of Merton and his team and the foster species, the Chatham Island tits, saved the species. Now, more than ten years later, there are over 100 birds. or those involved with the management of endangered species, it demonstrates that recovery is possible even in the most extreme case. The innovative techniques developed for the black robin programme are here described in detail for the first time so that other wildlife biologists can adapt them to their needs.

Saving the World's Most Endangered Bird

The Black Robin

Julian Fitter

New Zealand is commonly described as "the land of birds." Now, there is an easy-to-use guide for all those interested in this country's remarkable bird population. A Field Guide to the Birds of New Zealand contains over 600 stunning photographs of the more than 350 bird species likely to be seen in this area of the world. Comprehensive and compact, the book includes full descriptions of all native species and regular visitors, distribution maps and measurements, key information on national parks, and useful information on ongoing conservation efforts in the country. Filled with handy tips for nature enthusiasts wanting to make the most of their trip, this is the only bird guide that anyone exploring this region will need. 600+ color photographs feature more than 350 bird species with full descriptions Distribution maps and measurements Key information on national parks helps readers find the best spots for bird sightings Useful information on conservation efforts Guidelines on sensible behavior for encountering nature at its best

Don Merton

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