Tag Archives: Mauke

Ptilinopus rarotongensis ssp. ‘Ma’uke’

Mauke Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus rarotongensis ssp.)

There is an interesting account, which is given by D. T. Holyoak and J. C. Thibault in 1984.:

“P. r. sous-espèce?

Mauke: il semble qu’un ptilope ait habité l’île. L’Exp. de la «Blonde» rapportait que deux sortes de pigeons, dont un pigeon frugivore vert, habitaient Mauiki en 1825. Savage (1962) donne une information obtenue avant 1940; d’après la population locale le «Kukupa… se rencontre en abondance dans les îles de Mauke et Atiu». En 1973, il ne fut pas trouvé au cours d’une brève visite; les habitants interrogés à ce sujet donnèrent des informations contradictoires.
…. ” [1]

translation:

“P. r. subspecies?

Mauke: it seems that a Ptilinopus inhabited the island. The Exp. de la “Blonde” reported that two kinds of pigeons, including a green frugivorous pigeon, inhabited Mauiki in 1825. Savage (1962) gives information obtained before 1940; local people say “Kukupa … occurs in abundance on the islands of Mauke and Atiu”. In 1973 it was not found during a brief visit; the inhabitants questioned on this subject gave contradictory information.
…. ”

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References:

[1] D. T. Holyoak; J.-C. Thibault: Contribution à l’étude des oiseaux de Polynésie orientale. Mémoires du Muséum national d’histoire naturelle 127(1): 1-209. 1984

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edited: 09.03.2020

Aplonis mavornata Buller

Mauke Starling (Aplonis mavornata)

This species was for a long time known as the “Mysterious Starling”, since the origin of the only existing specimen was not known.

The mystery was solved in 1986, when Storrs l. Olson found out that the bird was originally caught on the island of Ma’uke in the Cook Islands in 1825. [1]

The Mauke Starling reached a size of 19 cm; it was dusky black colored with lighter brown edges on the body feathers, the iris was yellow, the beak and the feet were dusky brownish.

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References:

[1] Storrs L. Olson: An early account of some birds from Mauke, Cook Islands, and the origin of the “mysterious starling” Aplonis mavornata Buller. Notornis 33(4): 197-208. 1986

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edited: 30.04.2021