Pterodroma arminjoniana

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

View Printer Friendly

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PROCELLARIIFORMES	PROCELLARIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Pterodroma arminjoniana

Species Authority:

(Giglioli & Salvadori, 1869)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Herald Petrel, Trindade Petrel
Spanish	–	Petrel de la Trindade

Taxonomic Notes:

Pterodroma arminjoniana (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993) has been split into P. arminjoniana, P. heraldica and P. atrata following Brooke (2004).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Vulnerable D2 ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Taylor, J.

Contributor/s:

Bugoni, L. & da Fonseca Neto, F.

Justification:
This species has a very small breeding range and population on two groups of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean, where it is susceptible to human impacts and stochastic events. An unidentifed Pterodroma species breeding on Round Island in the Indian Ocean is also now believed to be the same species based on recent genetic work (Brown and Jordan 2009). The species's status may now require re-evaluation.

History:

2010	–	Vulnerable
2008	–	Vulnerable
2006	–	Vulnerable
2004	–	Vulnerable
2000	–	Vulnerable
1994	–	Not Recognized
1988	–	Not Recognized

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Pterodroma arminjoniana breeds on Trindade and Martin Vaz Islands off the coast of Espírito Santo, Brazil. It was considered abundant on Trindade in 1913 and 1986 (Murphy 1936, Filippini 1986). Surveys in the mid-1990s have indicated that the Trindade population numbers 2,000-5,000 individuals (F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000), and the global population was recently estimated at 15,000 individuals (Brooke 2004), although recent estimates suggest the total may be as low as 1,130 individuals (Luigi et al. 2008). Flocks have been noted flying around the Tunel, Pão de Açúcar, Farilhões and Crista de Galo peaks, but the most probable nest-sites are inaccessible without specialist equipment (Filippini 1986). It was first recorded breeding on the Martin Vaz Islands (three small islands and several associated stacks 45 km east of Trindade) in 1924-1925, when it was abundant on the middle island (Murphy 1936), although there is no recent evidence of breeding at this site (Luigi et al. 2008). Also recently identified, from what was previously an unidentified Pterodroma species, to be breeding on Round Island, 22 km north of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean (Brown and Jordan 2009). There have been confirmed sightings of several birds at sea in the central south Atlantic (490 nm northeast of Tristan da Cunha), off the Azores and a single sighting off Cape Verde Islands (Flood 2010). Records suggest they may regularly forage in the central north Atlantic and in small numbers as far east as the Macaronesian islands (Flood 2010).
Countries:	Native: Brazil Vagrant: Argentina; Portugal; Puerto Rico Present - origin uncertain: Mauritius
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Luigi et al. (2008) have revised the previous population estimate of 15,000 individuals globally (Brooke 2004) to just 1,130 indviduals.
Population Trend:	Stable

Population:

Luigi et al. (2008) have revised the previous population estimate of 15,000 individuals globally (Brooke 2004) to just 1,130 indviduals.

Population Trend:

Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It breeds year-round (all months) in crevices and other cliff-cavities in the highest parts of Trindade (Antas 1991) but sometimes down to sea level. The peak times for breeding activities (laying) are October and April (F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Introduced cats and pigs may have formerly restricted the breeding population on Trindade to inaccessible cliff sites (see item 'Ecology' above) (Williams 1984, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000), and it is also a surface nesting species, so low altitude populations might have been eliminated by feral pigs, cats and humans from the 1700s onwards, except those in small islets surrounding the main island. Hundreds of goats (<500) and/or fire have largely removed forested habitats on the island (Murphy 1936, Olson 1981, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000), but the effect on breeding sites is undetermined. The Brazilian navy is possibly interested in building a small airbase on the island, which could pose threats in its construction and operation (F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). Experimental wind turbines and a tower for wind measurements have already been built on the island, with plans to build further wind turbines in the near future. The Martin Vaz Islands have never been inhabited and are unlikely to harbour introduced mammals (Williams 1984). The only disturbance to these populations has been the former use of the islands for occasional target practice by the navy (Williams 1984).

Major Threat(s):

Introduced cats and pigs may have formerly restricted the breeding population on Trindade to inaccessible cliff sites (see item 'Ecology' above) (Williams 1984, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000), and it is also a surface nesting species, so low altitude populations might have been eliminated by feral pigs, cats and humans from the 1700s onwards, except those in small islets surrounding the main island. Hundreds of goats (<500) and/or fire have largely removed forested habitats on the island (Murphy 1936, Olson 1981, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000), but the effect on breeding sites is undetermined. The Brazilian navy is possibly interested in building a small airbase on the island, which could pose threats in its construction and operation (F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). Experimental wind turbines and a tower for wind measurements have already been built on the island, with plans to build further wind turbines in the near future. The Martin Vaz Islands have never been inhabited and are unlikely to harbour introduced mammals (Williams 1984). The only disturbance to these populations has been the former use of the islands for occasional target practice by the navy (Williams 1984).

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway Since 1967, Brazilian law has afforded protection to all seabirds by forbidding persecution, killing, colony disturbance and the use of bird by-products (Antas 1991). The navy eradicated goats from Trindade by 2005 and are restoring forested natural habitats (da Silva 1995, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). Pigs and cats were eradicated from the island by 1970 (Williams 1984, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). There is an ongoing study on the species's breeding biology (Murphy 1936, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). Conservation Actions Proposed Designate the majority of Trindade as a federal reserve (Antas 1991) or national park (F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). Determine the taxonomic status of the unidentified Pterodroma population on Round Island (Brooke et al. 2000). Conduct an impact assessment before any construction on Trindade.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
Since 1967, Brazilian law has afforded protection to all seabirds by forbidding persecution, killing, colony disturbance and the use of bird by-products (Antas 1991). The navy eradicated goats from Trindade by 2005 and are restoring forested natural habitats (da Silva 1995, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). Pigs and cats were eradicated from the island by 1970 (Williams 1984, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). There is an ongoing study on the species's breeding biology (Murphy 1936, F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Designate the majority of Trindade as a federal reserve (Antas 1991) or national park (F. P. da Fonseca Neto in litt. 2000). Determine the taxonomic status of the unidentified Pterodroma population on Round Island (Brooke et al. 2000). Conduct an impact assessment before any construction on Trindade.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Pterodroma arminjoniana. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2013.
Disclaimer:	To make use of this information, please check the <Terms of Use>.
Feedback:	If you see any errors or have any questions or suggestions on what is shown on this page, please fill in the feedback form so that we can correct or extend the information provided