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:

2012

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S. & Symes, A.

Contributor/s:

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

Justification:
This species is classified as Endangered as it 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:

2010	–	Endangered
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 1996-1997 [V. Bretagnolle in litt. 1999], although repeated visits in 2007 failed to produce any records pointing to local extinction [J. Baudat-Franceschi in litt. 2007], but since sighted twice off the northern tip and may possibly breed on atolls off the northern end of the island [C. Collins in litt. 2011]), Sala y Gomez (Chile) (100 pairs in 1997 [Vilina and Gazitua 1999]) 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 1970s (Garnett 1983) but, in 1993, the population was estimated at several hundred (M. Rauzon in litt. 1999), supported by observations in 1999 and 2009 (D. Watling in litt. 1999, R. Pierce in litt. 2009). 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 (Garnett 1983, R. Pierce in litt. 2009). In the Australs, tens of pairs occurred on Rapa and surrounding islets (Holyoak and Thibault 1984), and the situation was unchanged in 1990 (Thibault and Varney 1991). However, following Cyclone Oli in February 2010, 36 dead birds were found in the port of Tubuai, (possibly through the combined effects of light-attraction and strong winds), which may have had a significant impact on the small local population around Rapa and the long-term survival of the species in French Polynesia (Anon. 2009). 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 islands (Thibault and Bretagnolle 1999). In the Marquesas, one pair was found on Ua Pou in 1989 (V. Bretagnolle in litt. 1999). 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 Fiji (D. Watling in litt. 2005).
Countries:	Native: Chile; Fiji; French Polynesia; Kiribati Regionally extinct: New Caledonia; Vanuatu Present - origin uncertain: American Samoa (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, equivalent to c.1,500-2,400 individuals in total. 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

Population:

The current known population is as low as c.1,000-1,600 mature individuals, equivalent to c.1,500-2,400 individuals in total. 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 (Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Carboneras 1992c). Burrows are often dug in sand (and can be extremely fragile) (V. Bretagnolle in litt. 1999), but it also nests under vegetation or in rock-crevices (Holyoak and Thibault 1984). It feeds on small fish, cephalopods and crustaceans (Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Carboneras 1992c).
Systems:	Terrestrial; Marine

Habitat and Ecology:

It usually nests in loosely formed colonies throughout the year, peaking at different times on different islands (Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Carboneras 1992c). Burrows are often dug in sand (and can be extremely fragile) (V. Bretagnolle in litt. 1999), but it also nests under vegetation or in rock-crevices (Holyoak and Thibault 1984). It feeds on small fish, cephalopods and crustaceans (Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Carboneras 1992c).

Systems:

Terrestrial; Marine

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Birds do not appear to survive in the presence of rats or cats (Garnett 1983, Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Jones et al. 2008). Predation of eggs and small chicks by house mouse Mus musculus (E. Flint in litt. 2000), human exploitation (Carboneras 1992c) and increasing cultivation of islets, e.g. on Rapa (V. Bretagnolle in litt. 1999), are additional threats.

Major Threat(s):

Birds do not appear to survive in the presence of rats or cats (Garnett 1983, Holyoak and Thibault 1984, Jones et al. 2008). Predation of eggs and small chicks by house mouse Mus musculus (E. Flint in litt. 2000), human exploitation (Carboneras 1992c) and increasing cultivation of islets, e.g. on Rapa (V. Bretagnolle in litt. 1999), 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 (M. Rauzon in litt. 1999, E. A. Schreiber in litt. 1999) 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 displaying (Flint and Aycock 2000). 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 future (R. Pierce and D. Brown in litt. 2009). 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 species (V. Chartendrault in litt. 2007). Rabbit and rat eradication occurred on McKean and Phoenix Island in 2008, though the results have not been confirmed (R. Pierce et al. in litt. 2008, R. Pierce in litt. 2009). Conservation Actions Proposed Survey all nesting islets (M. Rauzon in litt. 1999) including those off the main Samoan islands (SPREP 1999). Eradicate rats and cats from key small islets within its breeding range, e.g. Temoe Island (M. Rauzon in litt. 1999, G. Wragg in litt. 1999), and throughout the Line and Phoenix Islands (A. K. Kepler in litt. 2000).

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
On Kiritimati, a cat eradication programme has failed to limit predation by feral cats outside villages (M. Rauzon in litt. 1999, E. A. Schreiber in litt. 1999) 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 displaying (Flint and Aycock 2000). 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 future (R. Pierce and D. Brown in litt. 2009). 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 species (V. Chartendrault in litt. 2007). Rabbit and rat eradication occurred on McKean and Phoenix Island in 2008, though the results have not been confirmed (R. Pierce et al. in litt. 2008, R. Pierce in litt. 2009).

Conservation Actions Proposed
Survey all nesting islets (M. Rauzon in litt. 1999) including those off the main Samoan islands (SPREP 1999). Eradicate rats and cats from key small islets within its breeding range, e.g. Temoe Island (M. Rauzon in litt. 1999, G. Wragg in litt. 1999), and throughout the Line and Phoenix Islands (A. K. Kepler in litt. 2000).

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. IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2012.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 19 June 2012). 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.

IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (ver. 2012.1). Available at: http://www.iucnredlist.org. (Accessed: 19 June 2012).

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 2012. Nesofregetta fuliginosa. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 19 June 2013.
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