SEX-RATIO OF NORTH-ISLAND KAKA (NESTOR MERIDIONALIS SEPTENTRIONALIS),WAIHAHA-ECOLOGICAL-AREA, PUREORA FOREST PARK

The sex ratio of the kaka population inhabiting the Waihaha Ecological Area, Pureora Forest Park was estimated between late October 1994 and January 1995. The observed sex ratio estimate was three males to one female compared to a capture rate (using mist nets) of six to one in t he same area between January and June 1994. Females appeared to be les s susceptible to capture than males. The skewed sex ratio toward male kaka was significant and suggests that female kaka suffer higher morta lity (probably due to predation at the nest) than males. The slow bree ding rate of kaka combined with a high loss of breeding females is a s erious threat to the long term survival of the kaka population within the Waihaha Ecological Area.