Oceanites maorianus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	PROCELLARIIFORMES	HYDROBATIDAE

Scientific Name:

Oceanites maorianus

Species Authority:

(Mathews, 1932)

Common Name/s:

English

–

New Zealand Storm-petrel, New Zealand Storm Petrel

Taxonomic Notes:

Oceanites maorianus (Brooke, 2004) endemic to New Zealand, was not listed by Turbott (1990) as previously believed to be extinct.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

Baird, K., Gaskin, C., Hitchmough, R., Saville, S., Scofield, P., Stahl, J., Stephenson, B., Szabo, M. & Weeber, B.

Justification:
Previously assumed to have been Extinct following the lack of records since three specimens were collected in the 1800s, this species was spectacularly rediscovered in 2003, with multiple annual records subsequently. Although there is very little information on which to base an assessment, the species has been precautionarily classified as Critically Endangered on the basis of an extremely small population which could be susceptible to the impacts of introduced predators. Further observations and information may well lead to a revision of the criteria triggered, and possibly the category to which it is assigned.

History:

2010	–	Critically Endangered
2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2005	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Extinct
1994	–	Extinct
1988	–	Extinct

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Oceanites maorianus was known only from putative fossil material (Holdaway 1999), and from three specimens collected in the 19th century, two from the East Coast of the North Island New Zealand (Bourne et al. 2004), and one of unknown provenance, but suggested to be Banks Peninsula, South Island (Medway et al. 2004). However, one individual was observed and photographed off the Mercury Islands, North Island in January 2003 (Saville et al. 2003), and subsequently a flock of 10-20 was observed and photographed north of Little Barrier Island, North Island in November 2003 (Flood 2003). Since then birds have been observed in the Hauraki Gulf each summer (October to April) (Gaskin and Baird 2005). It is thought to be a summer-breeding visitor to the Hauraki Gulf, although a nest site has yet to be found (Gaskin and Baird 2005). Up to three were reported on pelagic trips off New South Wales, Australia in March and April 2010 (Ramsay 2010). In 2005-2006, four birds were caught at sea, with DNA samples collected and transmitters attached, although this has not yet led to the discovery of breeding sites (Anon. 2006, Stephenson 2006a,b). A further three birds were caught and banded in late 2007 but these were not fitted with transmitters as they were not in breeding condition (Stephenson 2008). A review of previous petrel sightings and specimens suggests the New Zealand Storm-petrel may have been present in the Hauraki Gulf for at least the past four decades (Stephenson et al. 2008).
Countries:	Native: New Zealand
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population is assumed to be tiny (fewer than 50 individuals and mature individuals) based on the small number of records since 2003. Most have been of small numbers, but flocks of 10-20, 11 and 10-30 birds have been recorded.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species seems to occupy warmer waters which move into the Hauraki Gulf during summer. It probably feeds on small crustaceans and plankton associated with this water, and it is readily attracted to chum slicks (Gaskin and Baird 2005). The breeding season is possibly late November (egg-laying) through to May (fledging). It is thought to be migratory owing to its absence from Hauraki Gulf from June to September each year (Gaskin and Baird 2005).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

The species seems to occupy warmer waters which move into the Hauraki Gulf during summer. It probably feeds on small crustaceans and plankton associated with this water, and it is readily attracted to chum slicks (Gaskin and Baird 2005). The breeding season is possibly late November (egg-laying) through to May (fledging). It is thought to be migratory owing to its absence from Hauraki Gulf from June to September each year (Gaskin and Baird 2005).

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	No immediate threats are known, but the species could conceivably be impacted by introduced predators.

Major Threat(s):

No immediate threats are known, but the species could conceivably be impacted by introduced predators.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway The species may have already benefited from rat-eradication programmes on offshore islands. In the summer of 2005-2006, four birds were captured, and attempts made to follow them to their breeding grounds with the aid of radio telemetry. This was unsuccessful, and further attempts to capture birds in November and December 2006 failed (Anon. 2006, Stephenson 2006a,b). Three birds captured in October-November 2007 were not fitted with transmitters as they did not appear to be in breeding condition (Stephenson 2008). Location of the breeding grounds of this species is critical in determining population size and providing protection for the site, and searches are underway. Conservation Actions Proposed Continue on-going work to clarify the taxonomic position of this taxon. Carry out further surveys at sea in the vicinity of the recent observations and elsewhere, and continue searches for the breeding grounds, adopting a variety of suitable methods. If it is found to breed on an island with introduced predators, eradicate these as an urgent priority.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
The species may have already benefited from rat-eradication programmes on offshore islands. In the summer of 2005-2006, four birds were captured, and attempts made to follow them to their breeding grounds with the aid of radio telemetry. This was unsuccessful, and further attempts to capture birds in November and December 2006 failed (Anon. 2006, Stephenson 2006a,b). Three birds captured in October-November 2007 were not fitted with transmitters as they did not appear to be in breeding condition (Stephenson 2008). Location of the breeding grounds of this species is critical in determining population size and providing protection for the site, and searches are underway.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue on-going work to clarify the taxonomic position of this taxon. Carry out further surveys at sea in the vicinity of the recent observations and elsewhere, and continue searches for the breeding grounds, adopting a variety of suitable methods. If it is found to breed on an island with introduced predators, eradicate these as an urgent priority.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2012. Oceanites maorianus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 June 2013.
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