Atlantiksturmvogel

Taxonomie

Wissenschaftlicher Name

Pterodroma incerta

Autorität

(Schlegel, 1863)

Ordnung

Procellariiformes

Familie

Sturmvögel (Procellariidae)

Gattung

Pterodroma

Verbreitung und Lebensraum

The species feeds mostly on squid, which comprise 87% of its diet in some studies; it will also feed on lanternfishes (Myctophidae) as they ascend to the surface at night, as well as on crustaceans and some fish. This species is known for its nocturnal breeding habits. The nesting locations are between 50 and 300 meters above sea level, located on cliffsides on Gough Island and formerly, at Tristan da Cunha it was upwards of 700 meters. It nests in burrows dug in peaty soils in fern-bush vegetation.

Brutgebiet

AO : Gough and (at least formerly) Tristan da Cunha (Tristan da Cunha group, sc Atlantic Ocean)

Überwinterungsgebiet

to deep offshore waters of s Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina and sw Africa

Zugverhalten

Complete migrants

Schutzstatus

Starting around the 1970s, on Tristan da Cunha, they have programs to teach and learn about this species and why it is important for the ecosystem. They also educate about the dangers that the birds are facing and research ways to implement protection for them in the future. Considering their populations numbers are high, their declining population is thought to be due to the mortality rate of eggs and young. Gough Island is a nature reserve and World Heritage site, there is a field station on this island to observe the Atlantic Petrels population. Research on the House mouse is important to finding ways in reducing these predators' effect on the Atlantic Petrels.<p>Further studies on the house mouse have focused on ways to eradicate mice on Gough Island, minimizing the risk of introducing other invasive species, and finding methods better to understand the Atlantic petrel's habits. Demographic mapping is being used to better understand the island and its animal population trends.<p>The petrel was formerly classified as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. However, new research revealed the severe impact of predation by mice, and the species was uplisted to endangered in 2008.

Bestandstrend

declining