Puffinus creatopus

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:

Puffinus creatopus

Species Authority:

Coues, 1864

Common Name/s:

English

–

Pink-footed Shearwater

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

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

Contributor/s:

Hodum, P., Torres-Mura, J., Becker, D., Guicking, D.

Justification:
This species has a very small breeding range at only three known locations, which renders it susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts. If invasive species, harvesting of chicks, bycatch in fisheries or other factors are found to be causing population declines, then the species would warrant uplisting to Endangered.

History:

2008	–	Vulnerable
2007	–	Vulnerable
2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1996	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Vulnerable

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Puffinus creatopus is an east Pacific seabird that breeds only on Robinson Crusoe (a few thousand pairs in 1986⁹; 2,750 occupied burrows in 2002¹⁰; 8,459 burrows in 2005-06, of which up to 60% (5,075) may be occupied¹¹) and Santa Clara (2,000-3,000 pairs in 1991⁹ and 3,470 breeding pairs in 2006¹¹) in the Juan Fernández Islands, and on Isla Mocha (13,000-17,000 pairs¹, but possibly up to 25,000 pairs²) off the coast of Arauco, Chile. Combining these sites there may be around 20,000 breeding pairs, which would imply a maximum of 100,000 individuals ¹⁰. It winters in waters off west North America and central Peru from April to November, but a specimen has been taken from the Atlantic coast of Argentina⁴ and there are records from New Zealand and Australia^2,5. Despite probable declines in the past, populations in the Juan Fernández group appear to have been more or less stable, though they may be declining recently owing to the effects of chick harvesting¹⁴.
Countries:	Native: Canada; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; El Salvador; Mexico; Nicaragua; Peru; United States; United States; United States Vagrant: Argentina; Australia; Guatemala; New Zealand Present - origin uncertain: Ecuador
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	There may be around 20,000 breeding pairs, which would imply a maximum of 100,000 individuals (Brooke 2004).
Population Trend:	Unknown

Population:

There may be around 20,000 breeding pairs, which would imply a maximum of 100,000 individuals (Brooke 2004).

Population Trend:

Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Birds arrive at the colonies in late October-November. Eggs are laid in December with fledging and dispersal in late April-early May¹. On Robinson Crusoe, nesting has been recorded in burrows scattered throughout badly eroded, generally sparsely vegetated but occasionally forested habitat at elevations of 150-300 m. On Santa Clara, the species breeds in scattered colonies in eroded terrain at elevations from 15-300m ¹². On Isla Mocha, the colony is in forest (predominant tree Aextoxicon punctatum), with the highest burrow densities along mountain ridges and between the roots of old-growth trees up to 390 m^1,2. It feeds primarily in offshore waters over the continental shelf but also in pelagic waters¹³, mostly on fish (sardines and anchovies⁷), squid and to a lesser extent, crustaceans².
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

Birds arrive at the colonies in late October-November. Eggs are laid in December with fledging and dispersal in late April-early May¹. On Robinson Crusoe, nesting has been recorded in burrows scattered throughout badly eroded, generally sparsely vegetated but occasionally forested habitat at elevations of 150-300 m. On Santa Clara, the species breeds in scattered colonies in eroded terrain at elevations from 15-300m ¹². On Isla Mocha, the colony is in forest (predominant tree Aextoxicon punctatum), with the highest burrow densities along mountain ridges and between the roots of old-growth trees up to 390 m^1,2. It feeds primarily in offshore waters over the continental shelf but also in pelagic waters¹³, mostly on fish (sardines and anchovies⁷), squid and to a lesser extent, crustaceans².

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Predation by cats and coatis on Robinson Crusoe, and cats and dogs on Mocha¹ may be the most significant threat. Additionally, rats predate chicks and eggs on Robinson Crusoe and possibly on Mocha⁶. Chicks are harvested by islanders on Mocha in March-May, with an estimated 20% of all chicks taken in 1998^{1, 14}. European rabbits compete with shearwaters for burrows on Robinson Crusoe but were eradicated from Santa Clara in 2003¹¹. Soil erosion by goats and rabbits affects populations on Robinson Crusoe^1,6. Cattle in one colony on Robinson Crusoe cause soil erosion and burrow collapses¹¹. Erosion due to vegetation loss causes burrow loss on Santa Clara¹¹. Birds have been entangled in fishing gear near colonies and in the non-breeding range^1,2, and this potentially poses a major threat^8,14. Contamination by chemical pollutants (e.g. mercury) may also be a threat⁷, as well are plastic debris and oil pollution. The species is potentially threatened by climate change because it has a geographically bounded distribution: its altitudinal distribution falls entirely within 1,000 m of the highest mountain top within its range (914 m)¹⁶.

Major Threat(s):

Predation by cats and coatis on Robinson Crusoe, and cats and dogs on Mocha¹ may be the most significant threat. Additionally, rats predate chicks and eggs on Robinson Crusoe and possibly on Mocha⁶. Chicks are harvested by islanders on Mocha in March-May, with an estimated 20% of all chicks taken in 1998^{1, 14}. European rabbits compete with shearwaters for burrows on Robinson Crusoe but were eradicated from Santa Clara in 2003¹¹. Soil erosion by goats and rabbits affects populations on Robinson Crusoe^1,6. Cattle in one colony on Robinson Crusoe cause soil erosion and burrow collapses¹¹. Erosion due to vegetation loss causes burrow loss on Santa Clara¹¹. Birds have been entangled in fishing gear near colonies and in the non-breeding range^1,2, and this potentially poses a major threat^8,14. Contamination by chemical pollutants (e.g. mercury) may also be a threat⁷, as well are plastic debris and oil pollution. The species is potentially threatened by climate change because it has a geographically bounded distribution: its altitudinal distribution falls entirely within 1,000 m of the highest mountain top within its range (914 m)¹⁶.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The Juan Fernández Islands were designated as a national park in 1935 (protected from 1967) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977. The Chilean government began a habitat restoration programme in 1997⁶ and the islands have been nominated for World Heritage listing³. The distribution on Robinson Crusoe and Santa Clara was determined in 2006. The colony on Mocha is within a national reserve, which has had a management plan since 1998 and two reserve guards^1,6. Harvesting of chicks is illegal¹although this is unenforced. The species is listed as a Species of Common Conservation Concern by the Commission for Environmental Conservation (CEC). In 2007, Chile and Canada created national conservation plans for the species. Conservation Actions Proposed Remove all introduced mammals, initially within a feasibility study area². Determine breeding population estimate for Isla Mocha, taking into account burrow occupancy. Conduct quantitative assessment of population-level impacts of chick harvesting and reduce chick harvesting¹. Replant native flora, initially within the feasibility study area but also at forest edges, using exclosures on Robinson Crusoe². Enforce grazing restrictions on national park land. Plant fast-growing, soil-binding trees along highly eroded slopes for short-term relief. Assess the threat posed by the fishing industry, especially in Chilean waters⁸and along migration routes, particularly in Peruvian waters.Establish and maintain a population monitoring programme for Juan Fernández and Mocha breeding populations. Clarify the severity of threats faced in the non-breeding range. Build capacity for research and at-sea monitoring in Mexico.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
The Juan Fernández Islands were designated as a national park in 1935 (protected from 1967) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1977. The Chilean government began a habitat restoration programme in 1997⁶ and the islands have been nominated for World Heritage listing³. The distribution on Robinson Crusoe and Santa Clara was determined in 2006. The colony on Mocha is within a national reserve, which has had a management plan since 1998 and two reserve guards^1,6. Harvesting of chicks is illegal¹although this is unenforced. The species is listed as a Species of Common Conservation Concern by the Commission for Environmental Conservation (CEC). In 2007, Chile and Canada created national conservation plans for the species.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Remove all introduced mammals, initially within a feasibility study area². Determine breeding population estimate for Isla Mocha, taking into account burrow occupancy. Conduct quantitative assessment of population-level impacts of chick harvesting and reduce chick harvesting¹. Replant native flora, initially within the feasibility study area but also at forest edges, using exclosures on Robinson Crusoe². Enforce grazing restrictions on national park land. Plant fast-growing, soil-binding trees along highly eroded slopes for short-term relief. Assess the threat posed by the fishing industry, especially in Chilean waters⁸and along migration routes, particularly in Peruvian waters.Establish and maintain a population monitoring programme for Juan Fernández and Mocha breeding populations. Clarify the severity of threats faced in the non-breeding range. Build capacity for research and at-sea monitoring in Mexico.

Bibliography [top]

	Becker, P. H. 2000. Mercury levels in Pink-footed Shearwaters Puffinus creatopus breeding on Mocha Island, Chile. Ornitologia Neotropical 11: 165-168. Brooke, M. de L. 1987. The birds of the Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K. Brooke, M. De L. 2004. Albatrosses and petrels across the world. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K. Commission for Environmental Cooperation. 2005. North American Conservation Action Plan: Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus. Force, M. P.; Balance, L. T. 2009. A Pink-footed Shearwater in Hawaai'i. 'Elepaio 69(6): 39-40. Guicking, D.; Leuther, C.; Ristow, D. 1999. Pink-footed Shearwaters on Isla Mocha, Chile. World Birdwatch 21: 20-23. Guicking, D.; Ristow, D.; Becker, P. H.; Schlatter, R.; Berthold, P.; Querner, U. 2001. Satellite tracking of the Pink-footed Shearwater in Chile. Waterbirds 24: 8-15. Hodum, P., Wainstain, M. and Schlatter, R. 2004. Satellite tracking of pink-footed shearwaters (Puffinus creatopus). National Geographic Society, Washington, USA. Hodum, P.; Wainstein, M. 2003. Biology and conservation of the Juan Fernadez seabirds community. Hulm, P. 1995. Robinson Crusoe's Islands face an uncertain future. Plant Talk: 19-21. Mazar Barnett, J.; Navas, J. R. 1998. Primer registro de la Pardela Patas Rosas Puffinus creatopus en las costas Argentinas. Hornero 15: 43-44. Patterson, R. M. 1991. RAOU records appraisal committee: opinions and case summaries 1988-1991. Submission no. 107. RAOU Report 80.

Becker, P. H. 2000. Mercury levels in Pink-footed Shearwaters Puffinus creatopus breeding on Mocha Island, Chile. Ornitologia Neotropical 11: 165-168.

Brooke, M. de L. 1987. The birds of the Juan Fernandez Islands, Chile. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K.

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

Collar, N. J.; Gonzaga, L. P.; Krabbe, N.; Madroño Nieto, A.; Naranjo, L. G.; Parker, T. A.; Wege, D. C. 1992. Threatened birds of the Americas: the ICBP/IUCN Red Data Book. International Council for Bird Preservation, Cambridge, U.K.

Commission for Environmental Cooperation. 2005. North American Conservation Action Plan: Pink-footed Shearwater Puffinus creatopus.

Force, M. P.; Balance, L. T. 2009. A Pink-footed Shearwater in Hawaai'i. 'Elepaio 69(6): 39-40.

Guicking, D.; Leuther, C.; Ristow, D. 1999. Pink-footed Shearwaters on Isla Mocha, Chile. World Birdwatch 21: 20-23.

Guicking, D.; Ristow, D.; Becker, P. H.; Schlatter, R.; Berthold, P.; Querner, U. 2001. Satellite tracking of the Pink-footed Shearwater in Chile. Waterbirds 24: 8-15.

Hodum, P., Wainstain, M. and Schlatter, R. 2004. Satellite tracking of pink-footed shearwaters (Puffinus creatopus). National Geographic Society, Washington, USA.

Hodum, P.; Wainstein, M. 2003. Biology and conservation of the Juan Fernadez seabirds community.

Hulm, P. 1995. Robinson Crusoe's Islands face an uncertain future. Plant Talk: 19-21.

Mazar Barnett, J.; Navas, J. R. 1998. Primer registro de la Pardela Patas Rosas Puffinus creatopus en las costas Argentinas. Hornero 15: 43-44.

Patterson, R. M. 1991. RAOU records appraisal committee: opinions and case summaries 1988-1991. Submission no. 107. RAOU Report 80.

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