Colour preferences in North Island robins (Petroica australis): Implications for deterring birds from poisonous baits

There is growing awareness and concern in New Zealand about native birds ea ting poisonous baits intended for pest species such as brushtail possums (T richosurus vulpecula) and rats (Rattus rattus, R.,norvegicus, R. exulans). We investigated the colour preferences of North Island robins (Petroica aus tralis) a species known to be vulnerable to poisoning. The main aims were t o determine if: (1) robins had colour preferences, (2) the preferences were consistent between two separate populations and 3) the preferences were si milar to those found previously in weka (Gallirallus australis), another na tive species. Robins in Pureora Forest Park and Te Urewera National Park were individuall y offered a choice between differently coloured versions of a novel food (r ed, yellow, brown, green, light blue and medium blue) daily, for six consec utive days. Robins showed food colour preferences pecking more at the red, yellow and green cake than the medium blue, light blue or brown cake. No di fference was evident in the colour preferences of the two populations. The colour preferences of robins were similar to those reported previously with weka. Dyeing poisonous baits may be sufficient to stop a proportion of robins fro m eating them. Further work is needed to determine how colour preferences v ary across seasons, populations and species.