Colour preferences and coloured bait consumption by weka Gallirallus australis, an endemic New Zealand rail

Native birds are among the non-target species that are killed in poisoning operations directed at introduced mammalian pests in New Zealand. By identi fying colours that birds find unattractive, and incorporating them into poi sonous baits, some deaths may be avoided. The colour preferences of weka, G allirallus australis, an endemic New Zealand rail, were tested over 6 days by offering individual weka a choice between six different colours of a nov el food pellet. Weka ate significantly more red and yellow pellets on the f irst day than green, mid-blue, light-blue, or brown pellets but consumption of all colours increased sharply on subsequent days. The colour preference s found agree well with published studies on other bird species. If colour preferences are general across species colour may be useful in deterring bi rds from poisonous baits. Weka however with their opportunistic and adaptab le feeding style rapidly increased their consumption of baits, even those c olours they initially avoided. It appears that a more active deterrent than colour will be needed for weka. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.