Nesofregetta fuliginosa

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	HYDROBATIDAE

Scientific Name:

Nesofregetta fuliginosa

Species Authority:

(Gmelin, 1789)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Polynesian Storm Petrel, Polynesian Storm-Petrel, White-throated Storm-petrel, White-throated Storm Petrel

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Bretagnolle, V., Watling, D., Wragg, G., Flint, B., Chartendrault, V., Rauzon, M., Kepler, A., Pandolfi, M., Pierce, R., Baudat-Franceschi, J., Schreiber, E.

Justification:
This species has been uplisted to Endangered, a threat category which may have been warranted for some time, as the species has a very small and fragmented population which is continuing to decline. It is clear that invasive species are the primary reason for this decline, and although eradication at some locations has been conducted and further eradication programmes are planned for the future, this species remains highly threatened.

History:

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

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Nesofregetta fuliginosa breeds in the Line and Phoenix Islands (Kiribati), Austral, Society (formerly Tahiti), Gambier and Marquesas Islands (French Polynesia), New Caledonia (to France) (3-4 pairs in 1996-1997¹, although repeated visits in 2007 failed to produce any records and probably extinct there¹⁸), Sala y Gomez (Chile) (100 pairs in 1997¹³) and, historically (perhaps even currently), in Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji. In the Line Islands, c.1,000 pairs were present on Kiritimati (= Christmas Island) in the 1960s and early 1970s⁵ but, in 1993, the population was estimated at several hundred⁸, supported by observations in 1999 and 2009^14,20. In the Phoenix Islands, c.1,400 birds were present on Phoenix and McKean Islands, but the total population on the two islands is now thought to be 40-100 and c.10 individuals respectively^5,20. In the Australs, tens of pairs occurred on Rapa and surrounding islets⁶, and the situation was unchanged in 1990¹². In the Gambiers, 100-200 pairs occurred on Motu Teiku and 100-300 pairs on Manui in 1996, but it may have become extinct on two further islands¹¹. In the Marquesas, one pair was found on Ua Pou in 1989¹. No evidence was found of this species during a survey of the historical nesting site of Mt Washington (=Nabukulevu) on Kadavu (Fiji) in August 2004. There has been only one unconfirmed sighting in Fijian waters in the last three decades, and it is thought to be very unlikely that it still breeds in Fiji¹⁶.
Countries:	Native: Chile; Fiji; French Polynesia; Kiribati; United States; United States; United States; United States Present - origin uncertain: American Samoa; Cook Islands; Niue; Pitcairn; Samoa; Solomon Islands; Tokelau; Tonga; Tuvalu; United States Minor Outlying Islands; Wallis and Futuna
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The current known population is as low as c.1,000-1,600 mature individuals. However given that some surveys date back to the mid-1990s, and significant declines have been observed in previous strongholds, it is possible that the population may be lower than this. It is clear that data is lacking and a comprehensive survey needs to be conducted to assess the true population size.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It usually nests in loosely formed colonies throughout the year, peaking at different times on different islands^2,6. Burrows are often dug in sand (and can be extremely fragile)¹, but it also nests under vegetation or in rock-crevices⁶. It feeds on small fish, cephalopods and crustaceans^2,6.
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Birds do not appear to survive in the presence of rats or cats^5,6,19. Predation of eggs and small chicks by house mouse Mus musculus⁴, human exploitation² and increasing cultivation of islets, e.g. on Rapa¹, are additional threats.

Major Threat(s):

Birds do not appear to survive in the presence of rats or cats^5,6,19. Predation of eggs and small chicks by house mouse Mus musculus⁴, human exploitation² and increasing cultivation of islets, e.g. on Rapa¹, are additional threats.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway On Kiritimati, a cat eradication programme has failed to limit predation by feral cats outside villages^8,9 but, at Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge (200 miles from Kiritimati), a colonisation programme has been successful and, in March 2000, three N. fuliginosa were observed displaying³. A total of 23 motu in the central lagoon area have been targeted for rat eradication, with more eradication on additional motu planned for the future²¹. In New Caledonia, the Société Calédonienne d'Ornithologie was due to implement a rat eradication program on 18 islets including the site of the only previously known colony in 2007-2008 to restore suitable breeding conditions for the species¹⁷. Rabbit and rat eradication occurred on McKean and Phoenix Island in 2008, though the results have not been confirmed^20,22. Conservation Actions Proposed Survey all nesting islets⁸ including those off the main Samoan islands¹⁰. Eradicate rats and cats from key small islets within its breeding range, e.g. Temoe Island^8,15, and throughout the Line and Phoenix Islands⁷.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
On Kiritimati, a cat eradication programme has failed to limit predation by feral cats outside villages^8,9 but, at Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge (200 miles from Kiritimati), a colonisation programme has been successful and, in March 2000, three N. fuliginosa were observed displaying³. A total of 23 motu in the central lagoon area have been targeted for rat eradication, with more eradication on additional motu planned for the future²¹. In New Caledonia, the Société Calédonienne d'Ornithologie was due to implement a rat eradication program on 18 islets including the site of the only previously known colony in 2007-2008 to restore suitable breeding conditions for the species¹⁷. Rabbit and rat eradication occurred on McKean and Phoenix Island in 2008, though the results have not been confirmed^20,22.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey all nesting islets⁸ including those off the main Samoan islands¹⁰. Eradicate rats and cats from key small islets within its breeding range, e.g. Temoe Island^8,15, and throughout the Line and Phoenix Islands⁷.

Bibliography [top]

	Carboneras, C. 1992. Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (ed.), Handbook of the birds of the world, pp. 258-271. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. Flint, E.; Aycock, D. 2000. Trip report - Howland, Baker, Jarvis islands, March 9 to April 7, 2000. Garnett, M. C. 1983. A management plan for nature conservation in the Line and Phoenix Islands, Part 1: description. 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.P., Tershy, B.R., Zavaleta, E.S., Croll, D.A., Keitt, B.S., Finkelstein, M.E. and Howald, G.R. 2008. Severity of the effects of invasive rats on seabirds: a global review. Conservation Biology 22(1): 16-26. SPREP. 1999. Proceedings of the Polynesian Avifauna Conservation Workshop held in Rarotonga, 26-30 April 1999. Thibault, J.-C.; Bretagnolle, V. 1999. Breeding seabirds of Gambier Islands, Eastern Polynesia: numbers and changes during the 20th century. Emu 99: 100-107. Thibault, J.-C.; Varney, A. 1991. Breeding seabirds of Rapa (Polynesia): numbers and changes during the 20th century. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 111: 70-77. Vilina, Y. A.; Gazitua, F. J. 1999. The birds of Sala y Gomez island, Chile. Waterbirds 22(3): 459-462.

Carboneras, C. 1992. Hydrobatidae (Storm-Petrels). In: del Hoyo, J.; Elliott, A.; Sargatal, J. (ed.), Handbook of the birds of the world, pp. 258-271. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain.

Flint, E.; Aycock, D. 2000. Trip report - Howland, Baker, Jarvis islands, March 9 to April 7, 2000.

Garnett, M. C. 1983. A management plan for nature conservation in the Line and Phoenix Islands, Part 1: description.

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.P., Tershy, B.R., Zavaleta, E.S., Croll, D.A., Keitt, B.S., Finkelstein, M.E. and Howald, G.R. 2008. Severity of the effects of invasive rats on seabirds: a global review. Conservation Biology 22(1): 16-26.

SPREP. 1999. Proceedings of the Polynesian Avifauna Conservation Workshop held in Rarotonga, 26-30 April 1999.

Thibault, J.-C.; Bretagnolle, V. 1999. Breeding seabirds of Gambier Islands, Eastern Polynesia: numbers and changes during the 20th century. Emu 99: 100-107.

Thibault, J.-C.; Varney, A. 1991. Breeding seabirds of Rapa (Polynesia): numbers and changes during the 20th century. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 111: 70-77.

Vilina, Y. A.; Gazitua, F. J. 1999. The birds of Sala y Gomez island, Chile. Waterbirds 22(3): 459-462.

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