Atlantic Petrel
Pterodroma incerta
Powerful, stocky, two-toned petrel, all dark apart from the white breast and belly. Note the mostly dark wings, with a slightly paler ‘hand’ on the underwing. Often flaps its wings at the top of glides. Highly pelagic away from breeding grounds on remote Gough Island.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pterodroma incerta
- Authority
- (Schlegel, 1863)
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Genus
- Pterodroma
Range and habitat
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.
- Breeding range
- AO : Gough and (at least formerly) Tristan da Cunha (Tristan da Cunha group, sc Atlantic Ocean)
- Non-breeding range
- to deep offshore waters of s Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina and sw Africa
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
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.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Malabar Flameback
Chrysocolaptes socialis
A large, crested woodpecker with a golden-olive back endemic to wet lowland and foothill forests in southwestern India. Separated from Common Flameback and other “small-billed” flamebacks by a much larger bill, a mottled black-and-white nape instead of a black nape, and a divided black horizontal stripe below the cheek. Separated from the similarly large-billed White-naped Woodpecker by the less clean-cut face pattern, a red rump, the lack of a clean white nape, and a preference for wetter habitat. A loose participant in mixed-species foraging flocks, often detected by its loud, high-pitched trill similar to that of Common Flameback.
Little Cuckoo-Dove
Macropygia ruficeps
A small brown dove with a disproportionately long, broad tail. Both sexes have a dark brown back and wings and an orange-brown head and underparts. Female has several large black dots on the chest that the male lacks. Like most cuckoo-doves, elusive and often difficult to see well in the gloom of the undergrowth of the broadleaf evergreen forests this species prefers. Gives a long series of bouncy hoots.
Ringed Teal
Callonetta leucophrys
Small distinctive duck. Males have a pinkish breast that is spotted in black with a rich chestnut wing and a metallic green patch on the flight feathers. Note the blue bill. Females have a striking brown-and-white face pattern, and are mostly brown above and mottled or banded brown below. In flight shows dark wings with white-and-green bands. Occurs in marshes and swamps with abundant vegetation; can be even seen perched on fences or low trees.
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