Justification
This species is classified as Critically Endangered because it is assumed to have an extremely small breeding population and to be undergoing a continuing decline owing to predation and light-induced mortality. Effective conservation measures are urgently needed.
Taxonomic source(s)
Brooke, M. De L. 2004. Albatrosses and petrels across the world. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Dowsett, R. J.; Forbes-Watson, A. D. 1993. Checklist of birds of the Afrotropical and Malagasy regions. Tauraco Press, Li
Sibley, C. G.; Monroe, B. L. 1990. Distribution and taxonomy of birds of the world. Yale University Press, New Haven, USA.
Synonym(s)
Pterodroma aterrima Collar and Andrew (1988), Pterodroma aterrima Collar et al. (1994), Pterodroma aterrima Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Pterodroma aterrima Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993), Pterodroma aterrima aterrima Collar and Andrew (1988), Pterodroma aterrima aterrima Collar et al. (1994), Pterodroma aterrima aterrima Dowsett and Forbes-Watson (1993), Pterodroma aterrima aterrima Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)
Identification
36 cm. Medium-sized, dark gadfly petrel. Dark chocolate-brown with slightly paler chin, upper throat and underwing. Black bill. Pink tarsi. Black feet, webs with pale patch towards base of inner web. Similar spp. Like Bulwer's Petrel Bulweria bulwerii and Jouanin's Petrel B. fallax but more robust, smaller with heavier bill, shorter tail and lacking wing-bar. Dark phase of Trindade Petrel Pterodroma arminjoniana has longer wings.
Distribution and populationPseudobulweria aterrima is known from
Réunion (to France), by subfossil remains on Rodrigues (Mauritius) and in 2002 a single roadkill specimen in Black Gorges National Park, Mauritius (Tatayah
et al. 2011). The few records include four specimens collected in the 19th century, two birds found dead in the 1970s, and rare observations of birds in the waters south of Réunion since 1964. Recently, four more individuals, two of which died, were found attracted to urban lights of Réunion
towns (Le Corre
et al. 2002)
. Five breeding sites are known (9-10 pairs in total, including one loose colony with four pairs), all restricted to a small area which is unlikely to harbour more than c.40 breeding burrows in total (V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 1999, V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 2005)
. Calls have been heard during the breeding season (austral summer) on cliffs at 1,000 m and fledglings have been caught in March (Tatayah
et al. 2011). It is possible that they nest in montane parts of the Black River Gorges, as the habitat is similar to that of their suspected nesting areas on Réunion (Tatayah
et al. 2011). Data collected at sea during the period 1978-1995 suggested a population of c.1,000 individuals (Attie
et al. 1997)
with perhaps 45-400 pairs (Brooke 2004)
, although below 100 pairs is probably more likely (V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 1999)
and may only be a few dozen pairs (Tatayah
et al. 2011). A recent survey of the known breeding area on Réunion found 10 fledglings, indicating the species continues to breed successfully on the island (R. Martin
in litt. 2011).
Population justificationFrom their at-sea counts, Attie
et al. (1997) suggest that the population may be around 1,000 individuals, implying 250 (45-400) breeding pairs, although 50-100 pairs was considered more likely (V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 1999), i.e. 100-200 mature individuals. However, recent estimates indicate that the breeding population may be just a few dozen pairs.
Trend justificationSuspected to be declining owing to predation and light-induced mortality.
EcologyAll known breeding sites are on cliffs, presumably in heathy vegetation. Recent information confirms austral summer breeding, with incubation around December, and fledging between February and March (V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 1999)
.They are thought to return to nest sites nocturnally to reduce chances of predation (Tatayah
et al. 2011).
ThreatsLike the threatened Barau's Petrel
Pterodroma baraui (also endemic to Réunion), the main threats are likely to be predation by feral cats and rats (V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 1999)
,the Lesser Indian Mongoose
Herpestes javanicus (Tatayah
et al. 2011) and urban light-induced mortality which mainly affects inexperienced juveniles. Four birds have been found recently in such conditions - two died and two were released successfully (Le Corre 1999, Le Corre
et al. 1999,
M. Le Corre
in litt. 1999,
Le Corre et al 2003)
. Widespread light pollution such as street lamps and sport installations are responsible for the greatest majority of light-induced petrel mortality on Réunion (Le Corre
et al. 2002,
Le Corre et al 2003); the roadkill specimen on Mauritius is further evidence of the problem
(Tatayah
et al. 2011). Light-induced mortality of the juveniles of this rare petrel is likely to affect the long-term population dynamics but their longevity will cause a lag before real population declines are identified (Le Corre
et al. 2002)
.
Conservation actions underwaySince 1996, there has been a campaign to quantify urban light-induced mortality and to rescue as many birds as possible (Le Corre 1999, Le Corre
et al. 1999, Le Corre
et al. 2002)
. The rescues have been successful, with over 90% of the petrels (of various species) found on Réunion
being released again (Le Corre
et al. 2002)
. From 1996-2002, a public appeal aimed at rescuing downed birds produced eight petrels, of which seven were banded and released (Le Corre et al 2003)
. However, no concerted attempts involving supported, coordinated efforts have been made to assess the species's status on Réunion and predator control has not been trialled (V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 2005)
.
Conservation actions proposedDevelop an action plan for known breeding sites, and execute predator trapping, legal protection and monitoring of at least one or two burrows (V. Bretagnolle
in litt. 1999)
. Continue rescue programme of young birds attracted by lights (M. Le Corre
in litt. 1999, Le Corre
et al. 2002)
. Investigate light-reduction programmes either through light-shielding or light-restriction during the fledgling period (Le Corre
et al. 2002)
. Continue to search for further breeding grounds and, once found, evaluate population numbers, major threats and conservation action required (M. Le Corre
in litt. 1999, Le Corre
et al. 2002)
.
Related state of the world's birds case studies
References
Attié, C.; Stahl, J. C.; Bretagnolle, V. 1997. New data on the endangered Mascarene Petrel Pseudobulweria aterrima: a third twentieth century specimen and distribution. Colonial Waterbirds 20.3: 406-412.
Le Corre, M.; Viviès, Y.-M. D.; Ribes, S. 1999. Les pétrels de La Réunion en danger. L'Oiseau Magazine 54: 26-27.
Le Corre, M.; Ollivier, A.; Ribes, S.; Jouventin, P. 2002. Light-induced mortality of petrels: a 4-year study from Réunion Island (Indian Ocean). Biological Conservation 105: 93-102.
Le Corre, M.; Ghestemme, T.; Salamolard, M.; Couzi, F. X. 2003. Rescue of the Mascarene Petrel, a critically endangered seabird of Réunion Island, Indian Ocean. Condor 105: 387-391.
Brooke, M. De L. 2004. Albatrosses and petrels across the world. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Further web sources of information
Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE) species/site profile. This species has been identified as an AZE trigger due to its IUCN Red List status and limited range.
Click here for more information about the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE)
View photos and videos, and hear sounds of this species from the Internet Bird Collection
Text account compilers
Anderson, O., Bird, J., Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Lascelles, B., Stattersfield, A., Symes, A.
Contributors
Bretagnolle, V., Le Corre, M.
IUCN Red List evaluators
Butchart, S., Symes, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2013) Species factsheet: Pseudobulweria aterrima. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2013) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 20/06/2013.
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.
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
To contribute to discussions on the evaluation of the IUCN Red List status of Globally Threatened Birds, please visit BirdLife's Globally Threatened Bird Forums.
Additional resources for this species
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