Pterodroma alba

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:

Pterodroma alba

Species Authority:

(Gmelin, 1789)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Phoenix Petrel
Spanish	–	Petrel de las Phoenix

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered A3bce+4bce ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Butchart, S., Bird, J.

Contributor/s:

Bretagnolle, V., Watling, D., Piazza, A., Schreiber, E., Bell, B., Rauzon, M., Kepler, A.

Justification:
This species has a small population which is declining owing to predation by rats and cats. Its breeding range is small and declining and probably consists of fewer than ten locations. Trends are difficult to assess as breeding is variable both within and between years. The majority of birds breed on Kiritimati on which the black rat has recently arrived. A very rapid population reduction is consequently predicted and this species therefore qualifies as Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Endangered
2007	–	Endangered
2006	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Pterodroma alba breeds in the Line and Phoenix Islands (Kiribati), Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia), and Pitcairn Islands (to UK) (c.12-20 pairs on Oeno in 1997 and 1998^1,2). In the Line Islands, the stronghold is Kiritimati (= Christmas Island) where, in 1967, the population was estimated at c.6,500 adults¹⁸ and, in 1980-1982, 20,000-25,000^9,14. Since then, it has apparently decreased although previous estimates may have been too high¹⁷. In 1957, motus Tabu and Upua (islets in the main lagoon) supported c.800 nests each⁸, in 1993, 50 and 40 pairs respectively¹², and in 1999, 200 and 300²². In the Phoenix Islands, there were 50+ pairs on Canton in 1987²⁰, but none were found in surveys in 1995 and 1996 (nor did residents recall seeing them)^6,7, although, in 1999, it appeared common on Phoenix¹⁵. In the Marquesas, it was present on two motus off Ua Pou in 1989 and 1990, on Fatu Huku (five pairs) in 1990³ and more than 250 pairs were recorded on Hatuta'a Island in 2007 (a population which may be increasing)²⁴. There are no recent confirmed records from the Tuamotus¹¹ or Tonga¹⁷.
Countries:	Native: French Polynesia; Kiribati; Pitcairn; United States; United States; United States Vagrant: Fiji Present - origin uncertain: American Samoa; Cook Islands; Niue; Samoa; Tokelau; Tuvalu; United States; United States Minor Outlying Islands; Wallis and Futuna
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	While population details are often uncertain, it appears this is now a scarce species, perhaps numbering only 10,000 breeding pairs and 30,000 individuals (Brooke 2004).
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

While population details are often uncertain, it appears this is now a scarce species, perhaps numbering only 10,000 breeding pairs and 30,000 individuals (Brooke 2004).

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It nests in colonies on islets or islands at low altitude, and feeds mainly on squid, supplemented by fish and crustaceans; it may obtain much food by following cetaceans^5,11.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Birds only appear to survive on islands without cats. The arrival of black rat Rattus rattus on Kiritimati is a major worry and is likely to lead to a very rapid population reduction²³. Predation by Polynesian rat R. exulans and subsistence hunting are additional threats of unknown affect^4,10,17, though rats do not appear to be affecting population levels on Hatuta'a Island²⁴. On Kiritimati, a proposed satellite launch facility could have significant effects.

Major Threat(s):

Birds only appear to survive on islands without cats. The arrival of black rat Rattus rattus on Kiritimati is a major worry and is likely to lead to a very rapid population reduction²³. Predation by Polynesian rat R. exulans and subsistence hunting are additional threats of unknown affect^4,10,17, though rats do not appear to be affecting population levels on Hatuta'a Island²⁴. On Kiritimati, a proposed satellite launch facility could have significant effects.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway On Kiritimati, a cat eradication programme has failed to limit predation by feral cats outside villages^17,19. There are plans to attract the species to cat-free Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge (200 miles from Kiritimati) using acoustic playback recorders¹⁶. On Oeno and Ducie, R. exulans was successfully eradicated in 1997². Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct surveys of and monitor known colonies^3,17, especially in the Phoenix Islands¹³, and search for new ones, e.g. in the Tuamotus³. Assess risks of rat introduction¹⁷ and effects of island development¹⁷. Eradicate rats and cats from existing colonies^3,17, including throughout the Line and Phoenix islands¹³. Carry out plans to attract the species to cat-free Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge (200 miles from Kiritimati), using acoustic playback recorders.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
On Kiritimati, a cat eradication programme has failed to limit predation by feral cats outside villages^17,19. There are plans to attract the species to cat-free Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge (200 miles from Kiritimati) using acoustic playback recorders¹⁶. On Oeno and Ducie, R. exulans was successfully eradicated in 1997².

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct surveys of and monitor known colonies^3,17, especially in the Phoenix Islands¹³, and search for new ones, e.g. in the Tuamotus³. Assess risks of rat introduction¹⁷ and effects of island development¹⁷. Eradicate rats and cats from existing colonies^3,17, including throughout the Line and Phoenix islands¹³. Carry out plans to attract the species to cat-free Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge (200 miles from Kiritimati), using acoustic playback recorders.

Bibliography [top]

	Bell, B.; Bell, D. 1998. Pitcairn paradise preserved. World Birdwatch 20: 8-11. Brooke, M. De L. 1995. The breeding biology of the gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. of the Pitcairn Islands: characteristics, population sizes and controls. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 56: 213-231. Carboneras, C. 1992. Procellariidae (Petrels and Shearwaters). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (ed.), Handbook of the birds of the world, pp. 216-257. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Flint, E.; Bailey, S. 1995. Trip report: Baker Island 17 March to 1 April, 1995 (with notes from Kanton Island). Flint, E.; Depkin, C.; Rauzon, M.; Broad, K. 1996. Trip report - Jarvis Island, 19-23 March 1996 (with notes from Palmyra and Kanton). Gallagher, M. D. 1960. Bird notes from Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean. Ibis 102: 489-502. Gangloff, B.; Raust, P.; Thibault, J.-C.; Bretagnolle, V. 2009. Notes on the Phoenix Petrel Pterodroma alba from Hatuta'a Island, Marquesas. Waterbirds 32(3): 453-458. Garnett, M. C. 1984. Conservation of seabirds in the South Pacific region: a review. In: Croxall, J.P.; Evans, P.G.H.; Schreiber, R.W. (ed.), Status and conservation of the world's seabirds, pp. 547-558. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K. Holyoak, D. T. 1975. Les oiseaux des îles Marquises. L'Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Ornithologie 45: 207-234. Holyoak, D. T.; Thibault, J. -C. 1984. Contribution à l'étude des oiseaux de Polynésie orientale. Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle - Serie A: Zoologie 127: 1-209. Jones, H. L. Undated. Coastal zone protection and resource management plan for Kiribati. Perry, R. 1980. Wildlife conservation in the Line Island, Republic of Kiribatu (formerly Gilbert Islands). Environmental Conservation 7: 311-318. Rauzon, M. J. 1985. Feral cats on Jarvis Island: their effects and their eradication. Atoll Research Bulletin 282: 1-32. Schreiber, R. W.; Ashmole, P. 1970. Sea-bird breeding seasons on Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean. Ibis 112: 363-394. Teebaki, K. 1987. Report of visit to Canton Island (Kanton), Kiritimati Wildlife Conservation Unit. Thibault, J. -C. 1989. L'avifaune des îles Eiao et Hatuta'a (Polynésie, Pacifique Sud): modifications intervenues au XXe siècle. L'Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Ornithologie 59: 305.

Bell, B.; Bell, D. 1998. Pitcairn paradise preserved. World Birdwatch 20: 8-11.

Brooke, M. De L. 1995. The breeding biology of the gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. of the Pitcairn Islands: characteristics, population sizes and controls. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 56: 213-231.

Carboneras, C. 1992. Procellariidae (Petrels and Shearwaters). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (ed.), Handbook of the birds of the world, pp. 216-257. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Flint, E.; Bailey, S. 1995. Trip report: Baker Island 17 March to 1 April, 1995 (with notes from Kanton Island).

Flint, E.; Depkin, C.; Rauzon, M.; Broad, K. 1996. Trip report - Jarvis Island, 19-23 March 1996 (with notes from Palmyra and Kanton).

Gallagher, M. D. 1960. Bird notes from Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean. Ibis 102: 489-502.

Gangloff, B.; Raust, P.; Thibault, J.-C.; Bretagnolle, V. 2009. Notes on the Phoenix Petrel Pterodroma alba from Hatuta'a Island, Marquesas. Waterbirds 32(3): 453-458.

Garnett, M. C. 1984. Conservation of seabirds in the South Pacific region: a review. In: Croxall, J.P.; Evans, P.G.H.; Schreiber, R.W. (ed.), Status and conservation of the world's seabirds, pp. 547-558. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K.

Holyoak, D. T. 1975. Les oiseaux des îles Marquises. L'Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Ornithologie 45: 207-234.

Holyoak, D. T.; Thibault, J. -C. 1984. Contribution à l'étude des oiseaux de Polynésie orientale. Memoires du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle - Serie A: Zoologie 127: 1-209.

Jones, H. L. Undated. Coastal zone protection and resource management plan for Kiribati.

Perry, R. 1980. Wildlife conservation in the Line Island, Republic of Kiribatu (formerly Gilbert Islands). Environmental Conservation 7: 311-318.

Rauzon, M. J. 1985. Feral cats on Jarvis Island: their effects and their eradication. Atoll Research Bulletin 282: 1-32.

Schreiber, R. W.; Ashmole, P. 1970. Sea-bird breeding seasons on Christmas Island, Pacific Ocean. Ibis 112: 363-394.

Teebaki, K. 1987. Report of visit to Canton Island (Kanton), Kiritimati Wildlife Conservation Unit.

Thibault, J. -C. 1989. L'avifaune des îles Eiao et Hatuta'a (Polynésie, Pacifique Sud): modifications intervenues au XXe siècle. L'Oiseau et la Revue Française d'Ornithologie 59: 305.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Pterodroma alba. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 May 2012.
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