Macronectes halli

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Bibliography

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PROCELLARIIFORMES	PROCELLARIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Macronectes halli

Species Authority:

Mathews, 1912

Common Name/s:

English	–	Hall's Giant-Petrel, Northern Giant-petrel, Northern Giant Petrel, Northern Giant-Petrel
French	–	Pétrel de Hall

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2009

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Symes, A., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Patterson-Fraser, D., Robertson, C., Phillips, R., Weimerskirsch, H., Baker, B., Croxall, J.

Justification:
This species had been predicted to undergo a moderately rapid population decline in the near future but has instead shown a significant increase during the past two decades (probably owing to greater availability of carrion from expanding populations of fur seals, increased waste from commercial fishing operations, and the use of measures to reduce seabird bycatch around some breeding colonies). It no longer approaches the threshold for classification as Threatened and has therefore been downlisted from Near Threatened to Least Concern.

History:

2008	–	Near Threatened
2004	–	Near Threatened

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Macronectes halli breeds at South Georgia (Georgias del Sur), Prince Edward Islands (South Africa), Crozet and Kerguelen Islands (French Southern Territories), Macquarie Island (Australia), Auckland, Campbell, Antipodes and Chatham Islands and, historically, on islets off Stewart Island (New Zealand). The world population in the 1980s was estimated at c.8,600 pairs⁴. A more recent estimate (late 1990s) is 11,500 pairs, an apparent increase of 34%⁵, which may be partly attributable to better monitoring, but also probably reflects greater availability of carrion from expanding populations of fur seals Arctocephalus gazella and A. tropicalis, increased waste from commercial fishing operations⁵, and use of measures to reduce seabird bycatch around some breeding colonies, such as South Georgia (Georgias del Sur).
Countries:	Native: Antarctica; Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Chile; Falkland Islands (Malvinas); French Southern Territories (the); New Zealand; South Africa; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Uruguay Vagrant: Réunion Present - origin uncertain: Bouvet Island; Heard Island and McDonald Islands; Mozambique; Namibia; Norfolk Island
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The largest population is on South Georgia (Georgias del Sur), with c.4,500 pairs (Patterson et al. undated). followed by Chatham Islands (c.2000 pairs on the Forty-Fours and 80-100 pairs on Middle Sister) (Taylor 2000), Iles Kerguelen (1,450-1,800 pairs) (Weimerskirch et al. 1989), Iles Crozet (1,300 pairs) (Jouventin et al. 1989), Macquarie Island (c.1,300 pairs) (Patterson et al. undated), Prince Edward Island (650 pairs) (Patterson et al. (undated), Antipodes Island (230 pairs) (Wiltshire and Hamilton 2003), Campbell Island (230 pairs) (Wiltshire and Scofield 2000) and the Auckland Group (50 pairs) (Taylor 2000).
Population Trend:	Increasing

Population:

The largest population is on South Georgia (Georgias del Sur), with c.4,500 pairs (Patterson et al. undated). followed by Chatham Islands (c.2000 pairs on the Forty-Fours and 80-100 pairs on Middle Sister) (Taylor 2000), Iles Kerguelen (1,450-1,800 pairs) (Weimerskirch et al. 1989), Iles Crozet (1,300 pairs) (Jouventin et al. 1989), Macquarie Island (c.1,300 pairs) (Patterson et al. undated), Prince Edward Island (650 pairs) (Patterson et al. (undated), Antipodes Island (230 pairs) (Wiltshire and Hamilton 2003), Campbell Island (230 pairs) (Wiltshire and Scofield 2000) and the Auckland Group (50 pairs) (Taylor 2000).

Population Trend:

Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Where they co-exist at the same location, Northern Giant-petrels breed approximately six weeks before Southern Giant-petrels^16,12. Birds feed on penguin and pinniped carrion, cephalopods, krill, offal, discarded fish and refuse from ships, often feeding near trawlers and longliners^14,15. Males and females exhibit clearly defined spatial segregation in foraging ranges^8,15,18,19. During the breeding season, males exploit scavenging opportunities in and around seal and penguin colonies and are coastal in distribution, whereas females are much more dependent on pelagic resources^{9,20, 21}. There is significant sexual dimorphism, with female mass approximately 80% that of males¹¹. Ringing recoveries indicate juveniles forage more widely than adults²². At some sites, its less colonial breeding habit may make it less sensitive to human disturbance than Southern Giant-petrel, though degree of coloniality does not differ on South Georgia (Georgias del Sur), the largest breeding colony¹⁷. On the Chatham Islands, regurgitations from the birds on the Forty-Fours indicate a reliance on natural food sources (esp.Gnathophausia ingens) rather than carrion - there being no penguin colonies in the Chatham Islands²⁸. Average age of first breeding is c.10 years, and mean adult annual survival at South Georgia is 90%²².
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Where they co-exist at the same location, Northern Giant-petrels breed approximately six weeks before Southern Giant-petrels^16,12. Birds feed on penguin and pinniped carrion, cephalopods, krill, offal, discarded fish and refuse from ships, often feeding near trawlers and longliners^14,15. Males and females exhibit clearly defined spatial segregation in foraging ranges^8,15,18,19. During the breeding season, males exploit scavenging opportunities in and around seal and penguin colonies and are coastal in distribution, whereas females are much more dependent on pelagic resources^{9,20, 21}. There is significant sexual dimorphism, with female mass approximately 80% that of males¹¹. Ringing recoveries indicate juveniles forage more widely than adults²². At some sites, its less colonial breeding habit may make it less sensitive to human disturbance than Southern Giant-petrel, though degree of coloniality does not differ on South Georgia (Georgias del Sur), the largest breeding colony¹⁷. On the Chatham Islands, regurgitations from the birds on the Forty-Fours indicate a reliance on natural food sources (esp.Gnathophausia ingens) rather than carrion - there being no penguin colonies in the Chatham Islands²⁸. Average age of first breeding is c.10 years, and mean adult annual survival at South Georgia is 90%²².

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	A total of 2,000-4,000 giant-petrels were estimated killed in illegal or unregulated Southern Ocean longline fisheries for Patagonian toothfishDissostichus eleginoides in 1997-1998^2,3. Improved mitigation in a number of Patagonian Toothfish longline fisheries around breeding colonies (including South Georgia {Georgias del Sur}) has led to a reduction in observed bycatch of this species in these areas. Secondary mortality (ingested hooks) and mortality associated with IUU fishing may still be a threat. On the Chatham Islands, fisheries bycatch returned by observers from NZ waters 1996-2005 returned only 17 birds (8 from trawl fisheries and 9 from longline)²⁸.

Major Threat(s):

A total of 2,000-4,000 giant-petrels were estimated killed in illegal or unregulated Southern Ocean longline fisheries for Patagonian toothfishDissostichus eleginoides in 1997-1998^2,3. Improved mitigation in a number of Patagonian Toothfish longline fisheries around breeding colonies (including South Georgia {Georgias del Sur}) has led to a reduction in observed bycatch of this species in these areas. Secondary mortality (ingested hooks) and mortality associated with IUU fishing may still be a threat. On the Chatham Islands, fisheries bycatch returned by observers from NZ waters 1996-2005 returned only 17 birds (8 from trawl fisheries and 9 from longline)²⁸.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CMS Appendix II and ACAP Annex 1. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct surveys of major breeding sites. Continue monitoring. Minimise disturbance at breeding sites. Research movements and migration. Promote adoption of best-practice mitigation measures in all fisheries within its range, including via intergovernmental mechanisms such as ACAP, FAO and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CMS Appendix II and ACAP Annex 1.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys of major breeding sites. Continue monitoring. Minimise disturbance at breeding sites. Research movements and migration. Promote adoption of best-practice mitigation measures in all fisheries within its range, including via intergovernmental mechanisms such as ACAP, FAO and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.

Bibliography [top]

	Becker, P. H.; Gonzalez-Solis, J.; Behrends, B.; Croxall, J. P. 2002. Feather mercury levels in seabirds at South Georgia: Influence of trophic position, sex and age. Marine Ecology Progress Series 243: 261-269. BirdLife International. 2004. Tracking ocean wanderers: the global distribution of albatrosses and petrels. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K. Bretagnolle, V.; Weimerskirch, H.; Jouventin, P. 1991. Have giant petrels Macronectes spp. really increased at îles Crozet? Marine Ornithology 19: 73-74. Brooke, M. De L. 2004. Albatrosses and petrels across the world. Oxford University Press, Oxford. CCAMLR. 1997. Report of the XVI meeting of the Scientific Committee. CCAMLR. 1998. Report of the XVII meeting of the Scientific Committee. De Bruyn, N. P. J.; Cooper, J.; Bester, M. N.; Tosh, C. A. 2007. The importance of land-based prey for sympatrically breeding Giant Petrels at sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Antarctic Science 19: 25-30. Gonzalez-Solis, J. 2004. Sexual size dimorphism in Northern Giant Petrels: ecological correlates and scaling. Oikos 105: 247-254. Gonzalez-Solis, J.; Croxall, J. P. 2005. Differences in foraging behaviour and feeding ecology in giant petrels. In: Ruckstuhl, K.E.; Neuhaus, P. (ed.), Sexual segregation in vertebrates: ecology of the two sexes, pp. 92-111. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K. González-Solís, J.; Croxall, J. P.; Wood, A. G. 2000. Foraging partitioning between giant petrels Macronectes spp. and its relationship with breeding population changes at Bird Island, South Georgia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 204: 279-288. Hunter, S. 1983. The food and feeding ecology of the giant petrels Macronectes halli and M. giganteus at South Georgia. Journal of Zoology (London) 200: 521-538. Hunter, S. 1984. Movements of South Georgia giant petrels Macronectes spp. ringed at South Georgia. Ringing & Migration 5(2): 105-112. Hunter, S. 1985. The role of giant petrels in the Southern Ocean ecosystem. In: Siegfried, W.R.; Condy, P.R.; Laws, P.R. (ed.), Antarctic nutrient cycles and food webs, pp. 534-542. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. Hunter S. 1987. Species and sexual isolation mechanisms in sibling species of Giant Petrels Macronectes. Polar Biology 7: 295-301. Hunter, S.; Brooke, M. de. L. 1992. The diet of giant petrels Macronectes spp. at Marion Island, southern Indian Ocean. Colonial Waterbirds 15: 56-65. Jouventin, P.; Martinez, J.; Roux, J. -P. 1989. Breeding biology and current status of the Amsterdam Island Albatross. Ibis 131: 171-189. Patterson, D. L.; Fraser, W. R. 2003. Satellite tracking Southern Giant Petrels at Palmer Station, Antarctica. Microwave Telemetry, Inc. Newsletter 8: 3-4. Patterson, D. L.; Woehler, E.J.; Croxall, J. P.; Cooper, J.; Poncet, S.; Fraser, W. R. 2008. Breeding distribution and population status of the Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli and Southern Giant Petrel M. giganteus. Marine Ornithology 36: 115-124. Quintana F., Dell'Arciprete, O. P. 2002. Foraging grounds of southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) on the Patagonian shelf . Polar Biology 25(2): 159-161. Taylor, G. A. 2000. Action plan for seabird conservation in New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Wellington. Weimerskirch, H.; Zotier, R.; Jouventin, P. 1989. The avifauna of the Kerguelen Islands. Emu 89: 15-29. Wiltshire, A.; Hamilton, S. 2003. Population estimate for northern giant petrel (Macronectes halli) on Antipodes Island, New Zealand. Notornis 50: 128-132. Wiltshire, A. J.; Scofield, R. P. 2000. Population estimate of breeding Northern Giant Petrels Macronectes halli on Campbell Island, New Zealand. Emu 100: 186-191. Woehler, E. J.; Croxall, J. P. 1999. The status and trends of Antarctic and subantarctic seabirds. Marine Ornithology 25: 43-66.

Becker, P. H.; Gonzalez-Solis, J.; Behrends, B.; Croxall, J. P. 2002. Feather mercury levels in seabirds at South Georgia: Influence of trophic position, sex and age. Marine Ecology Progress Series 243: 261-269.

BirdLife International. 2004. Tracking ocean wanderers: the global distribution of albatrosses and petrels. BirdLife International, Cambridge, U.K.

Bretagnolle, V.; Weimerskirch, H.; Jouventin, P. 1991. Have giant petrels Macronectes spp. really increased at îles Crozet? Marine Ornithology 19: 73-74.

Brooke, M. De L. 2004. Albatrosses and petrels across the world. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

CCAMLR. 1997. Report of the XVI meeting of the Scientific Committee.

CCAMLR. 1998. Report of the XVII meeting of the Scientific Committee.

De Bruyn, N. P. J.; Cooper, J.; Bester, M. N.; Tosh, C. A. 2007. The importance of land-based prey for sympatrically breeding Giant Petrels at sub-Antarctic Marion Island. Antarctic Science 19: 25-30.

Gonzalez-Solis, J. 2004. Sexual size dimorphism in Northern Giant Petrels: ecological correlates and scaling. Oikos 105: 247-254.

Gonzalez-Solis, J.; Croxall, J. P. 2005. Differences in foraging behaviour and feeding ecology in giant petrels. In: Ruckstuhl, K.E.; Neuhaus, P. (ed.), Sexual segregation in vertebrates: ecology of the two sexes, pp. 92-111. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, U.K.

González-Solís, J.; Croxall, J. P.; Wood, A. G. 2000. Foraging partitioning between giant petrels Macronectes spp. and its relationship with breeding population changes at Bird Island, South Georgia. Marine Ecology Progress Series 204: 279-288.

Hunter, S. 1983. The food and feeding ecology of the giant petrels Macronectes halli and M. giganteus at South Georgia. Journal of Zoology (London) 200: 521-538.

Hunter, S. 1984. Movements of South Georgia giant petrels Macronectes spp. ringed at South Georgia. Ringing & Migration 5(2): 105-112.

Hunter, S. 1985. The role of giant petrels in the Southern Ocean ecosystem. In: Siegfried, W.R.; Condy, P.R.; Laws, P.R. (ed.), Antarctic nutrient cycles and food webs, pp. 534-542. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

Hunter S. 1987. Species and sexual isolation mechanisms in sibling species of Giant Petrels Macronectes. Polar Biology 7: 295-301.

Hunter, S.; Brooke, M. de. L. 1992. The diet of giant petrels Macronectes spp. at Marion Island, southern Indian Ocean. Colonial Waterbirds 15: 56-65.

Jouventin, P.; Martinez, J.; Roux, J. -P. 1989. Breeding biology and current status of the Amsterdam Island Albatross. Ibis 131: 171-189.

Patterson, D. L.; Fraser, W. R. 2003. Satellite tracking Southern Giant Petrels at Palmer Station, Antarctica. Microwave Telemetry, Inc. Newsletter 8: 3-4.

Patterson, D. L.; Woehler, E.J.; Croxall, J. P.; Cooper, J.; Poncet, S.; Fraser, W. R. 2008. Breeding distribution and population status of the Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli and Southern Giant Petrel M. giganteus. Marine Ornithology 36: 115-124.

Quintana F., Dell'Arciprete, O. P. 2002. Foraging grounds of southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) on the Patagonian shelf . Polar Biology 25(2): 159-161.

Taylor, G. A. 2000. Action plan for seabird conservation in New Zealand. Department of Conservation, Wellington.

Weimerskirch, H.; Zotier, R.; Jouventin, P. 1989. The avifauna of the Kerguelen Islands. Emu 89: 15-29.

Wiltshire, A.; Hamilton, S. 2003. Population estimate for northern giant petrel (Macronectes halli) on Antipodes Island, New Zealand. Notornis 50: 128-132.

Wiltshire, A. J.; Scofield, R. P. 2000. Population estimate of breeding Northern Giant Petrels Macronectes halli on Campbell Island, New Zealand. Emu 100: 186-191.

Woehler, E. J.; Croxall, J. P. 1999. The status and trends of Antarctic and subantarctic seabirds. Marine Ornithology 25: 43-66.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2009. Macronectes halli. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2012.
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