Roadside behaviour of Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus (Aves: Rallidae)

Abstract

The pukeko, or purple swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus), commonly uses road margins throughout New Zealand, increasing the risk of road-induced mortality. We examined whether pukeko were exploiting the roadside as a resource. Potential resources on the roadside included food (e.g. new grass shoots and invertebrates), grit, and open areas for social behaviour. Using behavioral observations and the contents of gizzards and crops, we found evidence consistent with foraging (but not necessarily on invertebrates), and grit collection. There also appeared to be a strong social component. We examined the effect of roadside resource use on the ecology of pukeko.