Justification This species qualifies as Vulnerable because it has a very small range, on two or three very small islands, and it is therefore susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts.

Family/Sub-family Procellariidae

Species name author (Salvin, 1891)

Taxonomic source(s) AOU checklist (1998 + supplements), Brooke (2004), Christidis and Boles (1994), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Turbott (1990)

Taxonomic note Pterodroma cervicalis (Sibley and Monroe 1990, 1993, Brooks 2004) was split into P. cervicalis and P. occulta by Imber and Tennyson (2001), largely on the basis of the latter's smaller size and relatively longer tail, but this treatment is not followed by the BirdLife Taxonomic Working Group because athough there are a few other minor plumage differences, occulta is not known to differ vocally or in the timing of its breeding season from cervicalis, and it is therefore felt premature to accord occulta specific status.

Identification 43 cm. Large, grey-and-white petrel with distinctive white hindneck. Black cap extends to below eyes. White band extends from throat around hindneck. Grey upperparts, upperwing, with black "M" across wings. May have grey half-collar across upper breast. White underparts. White underwing with narrow, black trailing edge, black tip, wider black leading edge distal to carpal joint, short, bolder black bar extending towards centre of wing from joint. Similar spp. Distinguished from Juan Fernandez Petrel P. externa by stronger cap contrast, bolder black marking at leading edge of underwing distal to carpal joint. P. externa has grey nape, but some individuals become almost as white-necked as P. cervicalis.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

100,000

increasing

67,600,000 km²

No

Range & population Pterodroma cervicalis breeds on Macauley Island in the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand (c.50,000 pairs in 1988, possibly increasing), with a second small colony still present on Phillip Island, off Norfolk Island (to Australia) (a few breeding pairs)^1,7. It is also reported to breed on Mere Lava in Vanuatu where it is well known to local communities³. It bred on Raoul Island, also in the Kermadec Islands, early in the 20th century⁵. It migrates to the north Pacific Ocean¹.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: On Macauley, it nests in burrows, generally on high, gently sloping areas with sedges and grass. On Raoul, it nested below 300 m on high-altitude ridges⁴. It feeds mainly on squid¹. Little is known of the breeding biology.

Threats The population on Raoul was probably destroyed by feral cats and brown rat Rattus norvegicus⁵. The Pacific rat R. exulans is present on Macauley, but does not apparently attack eggs or chicks⁴. Feral goats were present on both Raoul and Macauley and trampled burrows. Rabbits were formerly present on Phillip, and extensive grazing and burrowing caused large-scale erosion⁵. It remains vulnerable to the introduction of further mammalian predators, and also to fire and disturbance by visitors⁴.

Conservation measures underway Goats were removed from Raoul and Macauley in 1984 and 1970, respectively. The eradication of rabbits from Phillip in 1985 may have resulted in the species colonising the island in the following years. A study area on Macauley was established in 1988⁶. The Kermadec Islands are nature reserves with access by permit only.

Conservation measures proposed Map populations on Macauley and complete a census. Monitor Macauley every five years to ensure that no establishment of predators has occurred. Monitor recovery of vegetation on Macauley and any negative effects on the species. Recapture birds in study area to determine data on survival and longevity every five years. Eradicate R. exulans from Macauley and Raoul, and R. norvegicus and cats from Raoul. Re-establish colony on Raoul⁵. Survey Mere Lava and assess threats.

References 1. Heather and Robertson (1997). 2. Imber and Tennyson (2001). 3. I. MacAllan in litt. (2000). 4. Marchant and Higgins (1990). 5. Taylor (2000). 6. G. A. Taylor in litt. (1999). 7. S. Garnett in litt. (2007).

Further web sources of information

Australian Govt - Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000 - Recovery Outline

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Rachel McClellan (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International), Helen Temple (BirdLife International)

Contributors Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University), I. MacAllan, Graeme A. Taylor (Department of Conservation)

IUCN Red List evaluators Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Guy Dutson (Birds Australia), Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Pterodroma cervicalis. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 9/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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