Sporormiella as a proxy for non-mammalian herbivores in island ecosystems

► We show Sporormiella spores are common in Late Holocene avian herbivore dung. ► Sporormiella abundance in a New Zealand soil core reflects past herbivore population dynamics. ► Sporormiella has the potential to trace faunal extinctions on other islands without mammals. ► It is possible birds may also make a significant contribution to continental Sporormiella records.