1 = b
In 1980 there were only 5 black robins in the whole world!2 = d
The black robin's scientific name is Petroica traversi. The black robin is a
species of New Zealand robin. The New Zealand robin got its name because it is similar to
the European robin, but they are not related.
3 = b
The black robin gets its name from the sooty black colour of its feathers, legs, feet and
bill – it's an easy name to remember!
4 = a
Yes, people did help the black robin. Wildlife Service (now the Department of
Conservation) scientists came up with a plan to use foster parent birds for the black
robin chicks to increase the black robin population. The scientists transferred the black
robin eggs to the foster birds nests.
5 = b
The fostering programme ran from the summer of 1980/81 - 1988/89. The fostering programme used to save the black robin was so
successful that it has been used as an example of how to save endangered birds around the
world!
6 = c
The first foster birds were Chatham Island warblers, but they couldn't keep up with the
feeding demands of the black robin chicks, so from 1981 eggs were moved to the nests of
Chatham Island tomtits. Tomtits made good foster parents but the trouble was the young
black robins began to think they were tomtits! They sang tomtit songs and wouldn’t
pair with other black robins. To get over this problem the young birds were returned to
robins' nests for the last few days of living in the nest.
7 = a
When the cross-fostering programme began in 1980,
there were only two females out of the five robins left. Only one female laid fertile eggs
and she was called Old Blue. She and her partner, Old Yellow, are the ancestors of every
black robin alive today.
8 = d
Usually 2 eggs are laid between early October and late December. A second clutch may be
laid if the first is unsuccessful. Generally two eggs are laid but it is sometimes just
one, or maybe three. Eggs are creamy in colour with purple splotches.
9 = b
The estimated black robin population in 1999 was 250. The main population of black robins
lives on South East Island, in the Chatham Islands group.
10 = b
It is the Chatham Islands. They are part of New
Zealand. The islands are small, surrounded by rough seas and strong winds. They are about
850 kilometres east of Christchurch. They are the first inhabited lands in the world to
see the sun each day. |
