Justification This species is listed as Near Threatened because it probably has a small population, which breeds within a moderately small range, on five islands. It faces a number of threats, but there is presently no evidence of an overall decline. Nevertheless, its restricted breeding range leaves it moderately susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts.

Family/Sub-family Procellariidae

Species name author (Salvadori, 1899)

Taxonomic source(s) AERC TAC (2003), Brooke (2004), Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 35 cm. Medium-sized grey and white gadfly petrel. Grey upperparts with dark cap and dark "M" across wings. White underparts with indistinct pale grey half collar across upper breast. Predominantly dark grey-brown underwing. Similar spp. Zino's Petrel P. madeira is virtually identical but has a narrower, shorter bill and shorter wings. Voice. On breeding grounds a range of wailing, cackling, ululating and hiccuping calls. Silent at sea.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

3,000

unset

2,960,000 km²

No

Range & population Pterodroma feae breeds on four islands of Cape Verde (P. f. feae), Fogo (minimum 80 pairs²), Santo Antão (minimum 200 pairs²), São Nicolau (c.30 pairs²) and small numbers on Santiago. It also breeds on Bugio in the Desertas off Madeira, Portugal (P. f. deserta). An estimated 500-1,000 pairs breed in Cape Verde^1,2, although this must be regarded as an absolute minimum as further colonies probably exist on Fogo and Santa Antão and individuals have also been observed breeding in the central mountain range of Santiago island². Birds have been trapped on the Azores, but the existence of a breeding colony has never been confirmed³. Based on surveys in 2006-2007, a further 150-180 pairs breed on Bugio, where the population appears stable³. The total population has been estimated at c.3,000 individuals⁴. There is an ongoing review of the taxonomic status of the populations on Bugio and Cape Verde. If these populations are assigned species status, their threat status will need to be re-assessed. Birds may occur at considerable distances from the Cape Verde islands, even during the breeding season, with some birds moving south after breeding and others remaining in the region throughout the year¹.

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

Ecology: The species breeds at 80-300 m, usually in burrows excavated in the soil, although recently nests were found in rock crevices in areas were soil is not present³. Birds return to their breeding grounds in early June and juveniles fledge throughout December³.

Threats Historically, the species and its breeding sites have been affected by habitat degradation caused by introduced goats, rabbits and mice³. However, rabbits and mice have been controlled since 2006³. Predation and disturbance by Yellow-legged Gulls Larus cachinnans are potential threats on Bugio. On the Cape Verde islands, birds are predated by cats and rats, collected by people for food and medicinal purposes, and breeding sites are limited by overgrazing by goats.

Conservation measures underway A European action plan was published in 1996 and a national park was established at Chã das Caldeiras on Fogo³. The conservation of Pterodroma feae was incorporated into the park's agenda^2,3, but the park administration is having to deal with serious financial and operational problems³. Since 2006, an eradication programme for rabbits and mice has been in force, and is ongoing. As a result, their effect on the most sensitive areas is already negligible. A contingency plan for the control of goats is being prepared. The threat from L. cachinnans is being monitored³.

Conservation measures proposed Conduct coordinated surveys to obtain an up-to-date estimate for the total breeding population. Continue annual surveys to monitor population trends. Study the at-sea distribution of the species. Introduce control measures against goats. Continue control measures against rabbits and mice. Discourage off-take by people on the Cape Verde islands through awareness campaigns. Control cats and rats on the Cape Verde islands. Assess the impact of L. cachinnans through detailed research.

References Zino et al. (1996a). 1. Hazevoet (1995). 2. Ratcliffe et al. (2000). 3. D. Menezes and P. Oliveira in litt. (2007). 4. Brooke (2004).

Further web sources of information

Action Plan

Detailed species account from Birds in Europe: population estimates, trends and conservation status (BirdLife International 2004)

Text account compilers David Capper (BirdLife International), Andrew O'Brien (BirdLife International), Mark O'Brien (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds), Nic Peet (BirdLife International), Sue Shutes (BirdLife International), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Contributors Dilia Menezes (Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira), Paulo Oliveira (Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira)

IUCN Red List evaluators Ian Burfield (BirdLife International - European Division), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Rob Pople (BirdLife International - European Division), Joe Taylor (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Pterodroma feae. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

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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