Fantails live in warm and dry forests. They are found in New Zealand off shore islands nesting in parks and gardens. Fantails are known for their chatty calls and friendly nature. Fantails are one of the friendliest and peaceful native birds. Fantails are native to New Zealand and are common in most regions of the country. Fantails threats are the cold weather, rats, stoats and possums.
Fantails are significant as they were found by Maori years ago and Maori feed them which is why they are so friendly to humans because back years ago Maori were friendly and looked after Fantails. Fantails were known for being responsible as they used to help Maori survive by warning them when danger was coming. They are significant birds as they were part of Maori mythology.
Rats are one of the worst predators to Fantails. They have brown fur that camouflages them into nature, that way they can sneak up on fantails and crawl along the branches quickly. Rats attack fantails specially during breeding season and take their eggs. They have long tails to help them balance on branches so they can run fast along them. Rats are found all over New Zealand in warm and cold places. They are found in the rooves and walls of warm houses. Rats are threats to native plant species in New Zealand as they eat them and pull out the roots.
Possums are predators to fantails as they have sharp claws that grip onto the tree so they can climb on vertical branches to get to tree holes. They disturb fantails when they are nesting so they can kill the chicks. Possums nest in tree holes as well as fantails which is why possums kill fantails to use there place to nest. Possums are found in rainforests and offshore islands mainly in the Stewart island but also are found around the North island. They live in tree holes and logs. Possums damage native plants and native birds nests.
Stoats are predators to fantails because they can find where nests are and eat the chicks. They have whiskers and a snout that sense where the fantails nests are. Up to 60% of kiwi chicks are eaten by stoats. Stoats have long slim bodies that can fit into small holes in the ground which is an advantage for them to find lots of other native bird chicks. Stoats live in North America but are also found in forests around New Zealand.
Cold weather is a threat to Fantails as they cant handle cold temperatures. New Zealand temperatures can get to -5oc.
Winter is the worst time to breed as it is cold and the eggs/chicks wont survive through the cold. Fantails keep warm by handling together and staying in warm places such as sheds.
There is a Auckland board that helps save fantails called the ‘Network Trust Board.’ This company is successful as they help save fantails by keeping native areas predator free so fantails can survive longer. We can help fantails survive when we go for walks in the parks, beaches, lakes and rivers by setting traps to attract predators to kill, that way we can keep native areas predator free.
Reverences
- http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/fantail-piwakawaka/
- http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/rats/
- http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/stoats/
- http://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/animal-pests/possums
- http://nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/new-zealand-fantail
- http://www.nzbirds.com/birds/fantail1.html