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Home , Auckland Island, Campbell albatross, Chatham albatross, Common diving petrel, Diving petrel, Dracophyllum

A Fisher’s Guide to

In this quick-reference Most of the in this guide breed in Some of New Zealand’s fisheries now New Zealand and many breed nowhere have mitigation measures in place to guide are 26 different else in the world. In fact, New Zealand reduce bycatch. Many of these seabirds that you may is considered the seabird capital of the mitigation measures are also being used world because of the diversity of seabirds in other parts of the world. There are see in New Zealand’s on our waters including the 96 types numerous individuals, organisations and EEZ. Some of these that breed here. New Zealand’s seabirds governments working to protect seabirds. include penguins, , , Populations for many of the seabirds in seabirds can be found shags, gannets, terns and skuas. this guide are low and every individual is important. In other words, your efforts near our coasts, but For this guide we have selected seabirds to reduce bycatch are critical. many are more commonly that are at risk of being caught in fisheries. Because most of the seabirds In general, where seabirds breed seen while foraging over listed in this guide travel long distances, in New Zealand, we have used the the open ocean. they face an array of threats while at New Zealand Threat Classification System sea including interactions with various to show New Zealand Conservation fisheries, pollution and depletion of prey. Status. Where seabirds do not breed in These seabirds often face additional New Zealand, we show the International pressures at their breeding colonies. Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species status categories. List of seabirds found in this guide

Great albatrosses Salvin’s Grey-faced Antipodean (wandering) albatross and Thalassarche salvini Pterodroma gouldi Gibson’s albatross Black-browed albatross Cape pigeon/petrel Diomedea antipodensis antipodensis Thalassarche melanophris Daption capense and D. a. gibsoni New Zealand white-capped albatross Thalassarche cauta steadi Diomedea sanfordi Buller’s Petrels bulleri Diomedea epomophora Northern giant petrel Flesh-footed shearwater Macronectes halli Puffinus carneipes Sooty albatrosses Short-tailed shearwater Light-mantled Macronectes giganteus Puffinus tenuirostris palpebrata (also known as tïtï Albatrosses cinerea or muttonbird) Southern and Northern Buller’s Puffinus griseus (Pacific) albatross Procellaria westlandica Wedge-tailed shearwater Thalassarche bulleri bulleri and T. b. platei White-chinned petrel Puffinus pacificus pacificus Procellaria aequinoctialis Thalassarche impavida Prions Fairy prion Procellaria parkinsoni turtur Thalassarche eremita Common Grey-headed albatross Pelecanoides urinatrix Thalassarche chrysostoma Antipodean (wandering) albatross NZ : Nationally Critical MPI Species Code: XAG and Gibson’s albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Diomedea antipodensis antipodensis and D. a. gibsoni

Feeding and range

Eats: Forages on and sometimes .

Range: South Pacific Ocean from to . Gibson’s known to forage in the Southern Ocean. Tracking studies on Antipodean albatrosses indicate

Photo: Kath Walker Pierre Photo: © M. P. incubating birds mainly forage east of New Zealand, but some Head: White faces and throat with brownish crowns. non-breeding males fly east to the waters off Chile. During early Large albatrosses that become whiter as they mature, but some dark Body: incubation, Gibson’s are believed to tail . Adult males often have white bodies with some mottled brown mainly feed in the Tasman Sea and patches. Females frequently have dark bodies. east of New Zealand. Wings: Average wingspan of around three metres. Upperwings can be dark through to almost all white. White underwings with dark tips. Interesting facts Bill: Pink. Although genetically similar, Gibson’s albatrosses usually have Dark brown with a white face, throat Juvenile features: paler plumage than Antipodean and underwings. albatrosses. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Antipodean At sea On land albatrosses breed at Antipodes • In New Zealand, these albatrosses • There are currently few land-based Island, with a few pairs at Campbell are reported caught in trawl and threats to Antipodean and Gibson’s Island and the longline fisheries. albatrosses. (Chatham, Pitt). Gibson’s albatrosses breed only at the • Because Antipodean and Gibson’s • Mammalian predators may take (Adams, Auckland, Disappointment). albatrosses forage widely across eggs and kill unguarded chicks the South Pacific Ocean and Tasman at some colonies. Adams, Breeding period: Egg laying begins Sea they are at risk from fishing Disappointment and Campbell in December for Gibson’s and outside New Zealand’s Exclusive islands are free of introduced January/February for Antipodean Economic Zone, and in mammals. albatrosses. Chicks usually fledge international waters. the following January through March. • Visitor impacts on this species are • Outside New Zealand waters, these currently minimal because access Frequency of breeding: Every two albatrosses are caught in longline is restricted to Antipodes, Adams years for successful breeders or fisheries targeting tuna and tuna- and Disappointment islands, and annually for failed breeders. like species, e.g. off Australia and very few people visit the nests of Chile, and southern hemisphere birds breeding at Campbell and Number of eggs: One. longline fisheries operated by Auckland islands. Type of nests: Nest in loose colonies Japan. Further, while information with nests widely spaced apart. is still poor in some cases, these Nest is a raised cup of soil that is albatrosses overlap with Asian built among tussock and . distant-water pelagic longline fleets operating in the central Pacific. NZ Conservation Status: Naturally Uncommon

MPI Species Code: XNR Northern royal albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Diomedea sanfordi

Feeding and range

Eats: Mainly feed on squid, but also eat some fish.

Range: Forage widely over the Tasman Sea, Pacific Ocean and South .

Photo: De Roy Photo: Tui Photo: http://blog.doc.govt.nz/?s=taiaroa+500 Interesting facts The northern royal albatross White, sometimes with dark spots on their crown. Head: colony at Taiaroa Head on the Body: Very large. Body and back white. Peninsula is the only albatross colony on New Zealand’s Wings: Upperwings are completely dark. main islands.

Feet: Pink. Since the colony established in the 1930s, more than 650 chicks have Bill: Light pink with a thin black line on the cutting edge. hatched at Taiaroa Head.

Juvenile features: Immature birds look similar to adults, but may have some dark spots on their crown and back. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Chatham Islands At sea On land (Forty-Fours, Big Sister and Little • In New Zealand, northern royal • Monitoring at the colony at Taiaroa Sister), (Taiaroa Head) albatrosses have been reported Head started in 1937. Land-based and Auckland Islands (Enderby caught in trawl and longline threats are actively managed at where some have hybridised with fisheries. the colony. Managing fly strike southern royal albatrosses). and heat stress has increased egg • They have also been reported and chick survival significantly. Breeding period: Egg laying bycaught in longline fisheries Extensive trapping for mammalian begins in late October and chicks around Australia, Brazil, and predators (, , and ferrets) depart the following year from Uruguay. August to October. has reduced risks. • Where information exists, the • Nesting habitat on the Chatham Frequency of breeding: Every two relatively high survival rates of Islands can be vulnerable to severe years for successful breeders. adults and juveniles suggest that storms, which remove vegetation fisheries-related mortality is not a Number of eggs: One. and soil from nesting areas. major threat to this species. Nesting: Northern royal albatrosses • There are no mammalian predators have denser colonies than other where these albatrosses breed on great albatrosses. They build nesting the Chatham Islands. mounds out of soil and vegetation. NZ Conservation Status: Naturally Uncommon

MPI Species Code: XRA Southern royal albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Diomedea epomophora

Feeding and range

Eats: Mainly feed on squid, but also eat some fish.

Range: During breeding season they forage over the Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean. Birds migrate after breeding to the South Atlantic Ocean and have

Photo: © M. P. Pierre Pierre Photo: © M. P. Pierre Photo: © M. P. a circumpolar distribution in the Southern Ocean. Head: Usually white, some may have dark spots on their crown.

Body: Very large albatrosses with a white body. Tail all white in adults. When fully mature they are the whitest of all the albatrosses. Interesting facts Southern royal albatrosses and White upperwings with some black barring. As they age their Wings: wandering albatrosses are the upperwings become whiter. largest of all albatrosses. Feet: Light pink. Like many other seabirds, southern royal albatross chicks vomit a Pink with a thin black line on the cutting edge. Bill: foul-smelling as a defence against predators. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Mainly on Campbell At sea On land Island, with a few on the Auckland • In New Zealand, southern royal • Skuas are natural predators Islands (Adams, Enderby, Auckland) albatrosses have been reported and take some eggs. and the South Island (Taiaroa Head caught in trawl and longline • Feral pigs may take eggs – where they have hybridised with fisheries. northern royal albatrosses). and kill unguarded chicks • Outside New Zealand, these on . Breeding period: Eggs are laid from albatrosses have been caught in • A potential threat to the late November to late December. longline fisheries around Argentina, breeding habitat of southern After the egg is laid both parents Australia, Uruguay, and Chile, and royal albatrosses is the take turns on the nest. The egg by Japanese longliners on the encroachment of the scrub takes about 79 days to hatch. high seas. The chick is brooded for a month , which may be and fledges after about 240 days. • Captures occurring in caused by . New Zealand commercial fisheries • Tourist visits may have some Frequency of breeding: Every two where observer coverage occurs impact on nesting albatrosses. years for successful breeders. are considered unlikely to Nervous birds are known to significantly impact this species. Number of eggs: One. abandon nests when visited or handled. DOC has implemented a Type of nests: A mound of soil and vegetation. number of measures to control and limit the area where visitors can go on islands while southern royal albatrosses are breeding. NZ Conservation Status: Declining

MPI Species Code: XLM Light-mantled sooty albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Phoebetria palpebrata

Feeding and range

Eats: Fish and some squid. Range: Prefers deep offshore waters and forages over cold Antarctic waters in summer as far south as the pack ice, but ranges north into temperate and subtropical seas in winter. While

Photo: DOC Photo: Don Merton foraging, breeding birds may range thousands of kilometres from their Sooty brown with a white crescent behind its eye. Head: breeding grounds. Body: Sooties are amongst the smallest of the albatrosses. Ash-grey with a darker grey belly. Interesting facts Wings: Average wingspan 200 cm. Sooty brown in colour. Unlike other albatrosses, sooties Feet: Grey. have a long stiff wedge-shaped tail which is believed to aid their agility Dark with a faint blue line on its cutting edge. Bill: during paired courtship flights. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Auckland Islands At sea On land (Adams, Disappointment, Auckland, • Light-mantled sooty albatrosses • Mammalian predators may take a Enderby, Rose), Campbell Island appear to follow fishing vessels few eggs or kill chicks on Auckland group (Campbell, Dent, Jacquemart, less than other albatross species. Island although most birds nest on Folly, Monowai and other inshore cliff ledges that are protected from • They appear most vulnerable to stacks) and these predators. (Antipodes, Bollons, Archway, longline fisheries and have been Leeward). Elsewhere breeds on reported caught in New Zealand, • The most significant predator on Macquarie, Heard, Kerguelen, Australia, and in Japanese land is probably the brown skua. Crozet, Prince Edward, Marion and longline fisheries in the This natural predator takes some South Georgia islands. southern hemisphere. eggs and has been seen scaring adults off their nests. • These albatrosses are better Breeding period: Begins in late October and chicks depart the divers than most others, which • Human visitors to breeding areas following May and June. means they can follow longline may have some impact. The species hooks deeper in the water. is sensitive to disturbance during Frequency of breeding: Every two courtship. Some birds will abandon • It is more than ten years since years for successful breeders. their nests if handled during early the last capture of a light-mantled incubation. This is not a significant Number of eggs: One. sooty albatross was reported threat in New Zealand where few in New Zealand fisheries. That Type of nests: Less colonial people visit breeding colonies. than other species of albatross, capture, in 2004, was reported sometimes even nesting singly. from the southern bluefin tuna • Ticks on Antipodes and Auckland Build cone-shaped nests, mainly longline fishery, off the West islands may be potential vectors on cliff ledges. Coast of the South Island. for avian diseases. NZ Conservation Status: Southern and Northern Buller’s Naturally Uncommon MPI Species Code: XPB (Pacific) albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Thalassarche bulleri bulleri and T. b. platei

Feeding and range

Eats: Mostly fish, squid, octopuses, sea squirts and .

Range: Breeding and non-breeding adults are known to forage in the Tasman Sea, the Pacific Ocean east of the South Island, and over the shelf areas south of Stewart

Photo: JJ Harrison, CC-SA 3.0 Unported CC-SA 3.0 Unported Sunbird, Photo: Sabine’s Island. Juveniles and non-breeding adults disperse across the South Head: Grey head and neck with white crown. Pacific Ocean, north of the Antarctic Convergence, reaching the Humboldt Body: White body with a dark upper tail. Current off Chile and . Wings: Upperwing is dark. Underwing is white with a black margin. Bill: Dark with broad, bright-yellow stripes on the top and bottom. Subspecies: Southern and northern Buller’s albatross look very similar. Interesting facts The bill and head can help distinguish them. The sides of the bill of the After breeding, many adults and Southern Buller’s albatross are about 70% black. The bill of the northern juveniles migrate to the waters of Buller’s albatross is about 80% black on its sides, as well as longer and Peru and Chile. Here the immature deeper than its southern counterpart. The forehead of the northern Buller’s birds may remain for up to five years. albatross tends to be greyer than the southern subspecies. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Breed only in At sea On land New Zealand on the Snares Islands, • Buller’s albatross is caught in • Few threats to the species on land. , Chatham Islands, trawl and longline fisheries in • were introduced to Big and Three Kings Islands. New Zealand. Solander Island and may have Breeding period: On the Chatham • Bycatch in Australian and Chilean some impact on breeding Islands they breed from October to longline fisheries has also been success there. the following May. Other breeding recorded. colonies breed from December to • Avian diseases may be a potential September. • While fisheries bycatch is ongoing, threat to species. over the past 60 years, the risk to Frequency of breeding: Annual. population viability resulting from fisheries has been small. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Build pedestal nests amongst shrubs on narrow terraces or in the forest. NZ Conservation Status: Nationally Vulnerable

MPI Species Code: XCM Campbell albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Thalassarche impavida

Feeding and range

Eats: Mainly fish, squid and crustaceans.

Range: The species disperses widely around the Southern Ocean and into the temperate seas of the South Atlantic, Indian, and South Pacific oceans. Photo: TTui De Roy, Roving Tortoise Photos Roving Tortoise De Roy, Photo: TTui Photos Roving Tortoise De Roy, Photo: TTui

Head: White. Black eyebrows. Irises are honey-coloured. Interesting facts Body: Medium-sized albatross with a white body. Long considered a New Zealand subspecies of the black-browed Wings: Dark upperwings. Underwings white with black margins. albatross, the two species are now Feet: Bluish white. known to breed in mixed colonies on Campbell Island. While some Bill: Yellow with a red tip. hybrids have been found, the birds appear to prefer to mate with their Juvenile features: Dark bill with blackish tip. Grey plumage on lower neck. Eye colour initially dark brown and therefore easily confused with juvenile own species. black-browed albatross. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Breeds only on At sea On land Campbell Island. • Campbell albatrosses are caught • Few land-based threats remain in longline and trawl fisheries in for the species. Breeding period: Begins August New Zealand. and ends the following April. • Human visitors may have some • Captures have also been reported impact, but few people visit the Frequency of breeding: Annual. in longline fisheries in Australian colonies at the northern end of Number of eggs: One. waters. Campbell Island. Type of nests: Colonial nesters • Bycatch is thought to have • Avian diseases are a possible that nest on cliffs and steep slopes. caused population declines for this threat to the species. Build pedestal nests made of albatross from the 1970s through compacted soil. the 1990s. NZ Conservation Status: Naturally Uncommon

MPI Species Code: XCI Chatham albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Thalassarche eremita

Feeding and range

Eats: Squid and fish. Range: South Pacific Ocean west to and east to . In winter the species migrates to the territorial waters of Chile and Peru. Juveniles appear to remain in South American waters

Photo: Tui De Roy Photo: Tui Photo: Danmantle, CC-SA 3.0 Unported until they reach breeding age.

Head: Mature birds have a grey crown, face and throat.

Body: Medium-sized with a white chest and belly, and a dark-grey tail. Interesting facts Chatham albatross breed on one Wings: Dark-grey upperwings. White underwings. rock stack (The Pyramid) that is only Bill: Yellow bill with a dark spot at the tip of the lower bill. 10 ha in size. Over five years from 2014, Chatham albatross chicks Juveniles have more grey in their plumage and a blue-grey Juvenile features: were translocated from The Pyramid bill that has a black tip. to main Chatham Island to try to create a new breeding colony. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Chatham At sea On land albatrosses breed only on The • Chatham albatross have been • The habitat quality on The Pyramid, which is a large rock bycaught in New Zealand longline Pyramid deteriorated following stack in the Chatham Islands. and trawl fisheries. a severe storm in 1985, but has since recovered. Breeding period: August-September • Outside New Zealand, these to the following March-April. albatrosses have been caught • The Pyramid is privately owned in longline fisheries operating off and it is believed the illegal Frequency of breeding: Annual. Australia, Chile and Peru. harvesting of Chatham albatross Number of eggs: One. chicks still occasionally occurs. Type of nests: Colonial breeders • Could be affected by diseases that build pedestal nests out of including avian pox virus. and fish bones. NZ Conservation Status: Nationally Vulnerable

MPI Species Code: XGM Grey-headed albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Thalassarche chrysostoma

Feeding and range

Eats: Fish, squid and crustaceans. Lampreys appear to be important in the diet of young birds being fed by their parents.

Range: Circumpolar navigators that prefer to feed in the open oceans rather than over the continental

Photo: A. Wright Photo: A. Wright shelves. Breeding birds are known to travel up to 2000 km away from Head: Grey head and neck. their breeding areas to the Polar Front to forage. Body: Medium-sized albatross. When mature, the body is white and upper tail is dark grey.

Wings: Dark grey upperwings. Underwings are white with black margins. Interesting facts The species has a two-metre wingspan. The grey-headed albatross has a Bill: Dark bill has a yellow stripe on the top and on the bottom. The top stripe variety of calls. These include a gradually tapers at the base of the bill. braying call and one that sounds like a chainsaw starting up. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: In New Zealand this At sea On land albatross breeds only on Campbell • While grey-headed albatrosses • Few land-based threats remain Island. In other parts of the have been bycaught in for the grey-headed albatross. southern hemisphere it breeds on New Zealand fisheries in the • The greatest land-based threat is Diego Ramirez (Cape Horn), South past, this albatross has not been from its natural predator, the brown Georgia, Prince Edward, Crozet, reported caught in recent years. Kerguelen and Macquarie islands. skua, which takes some eggs and • These albatrosses have been will kill weak chicks. Breeding period: Season begins caught in longline fisheries off • The species is known to abandon in August with eggs laid in late Kerguelen and , nests if handled during incubation, September and ends the South Georgia, over the but few humans visit its colonies following May. Patagonian Shelf, south of on Campbell Island. Africa, and around Australia. Frequency of breeding: Every • Avian diseases are a possible two years for successful breeders. • Grey-headed albatrosses often threat. forage over deeper waters away Number of eggs: One. from continental shelves. This Type of nests: Cone nests reduces their exposure to some are made of mud and lined fisheries threats. with vegetation. NZ Conservation Status: Nationally Critical

MPI Species Code: XSA Salvin’s albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Thalassarche salvini

Feeding and range

Eats: Squid and fish. Range: Distributed widely over the Southern Ocean. They can be found in the South Pacific and Indian oceans. They often forage over shelves and seamounts. Photo: © M. P. Pierre Pierre Photo: © M. P. Pierre Photo: © M. P. Interesting facts Head: Light grey to brown with a white cap. 95% of the world population of Body: Medium-sized albatross with a mostly white body. Salvin’s albatross breeds on the tiny, barren islets of the Bounty Islands. Wings: Dark upperwings with some mottled white near neck. Underwings are mainly white with a narrow outline of black.

Bill: Dusky grey or pale brown, with yellow patches at the base, tip and sides. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: In New Zealand, At sea On land Salvin’s albatrosses breed annually • Commonly seen attending • There are very few land-based at the Bounty Islands, the Snares fishing vessels. threats to Salvin’s albatrosses. and possibly The Pyramid and the Forty-Fours at the Chatham Islands. • Salvin’s albatross have been The species also breeds at the reported caught from longline and Crozet Islands in the . trawl fisheries in New Zealand. • Almost all of these captures have Breeding period: Begins in October and ends the following April. been reported from the east and south of New Zealand. Frequency of breeding: Annual. • Outside New Zealand waters, Number of eggs: One. Salvin’s albatross are reported caught in longline fisheries Type of nests: Nest on barren islands and rock stacks. off Chile. NZ Conservation Status: Coloniser

MPI Species Code: XSM Black-browed albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Thalassarche melanophris

Feeding and range

Eats: Mostly and fish. Also eat some squid, and jellyfish.

Range: During the summer, common over shelves around New Zealand and Australia. In the winter, birds from the Indian Ocean migrate to shelves off east Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Photo: © M. P. Pierre Photo: © M. P. Photo: Tui De Roy, Roving Tortoise Photos Roving Tortoise De Roy, Photo: Tui

Head: White. Black patch around the eye and black irises. Interesting facts Body: Body is white. About 70% of the global population Wings: Dark upperwings and white on the underwings with black margins. Wingspan is 210-250 cm. of black-browed albatross breeds on the . Feet: Yellowish-orange webbed feet. Less than 150 pairs of this albatross Bill: Bright yellow with reddish tip. breed in New Zealand. Juvenile features: Immature birds have dark bills with blackish tips. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: In New Zealand, At sea On land black-browed albatrosses breed • Reported caught in trawl and • There are few land-based in low numbers on Campbell, longline fisheries in New Zealand. threats globally that could cause Antipodes and Snares islands. population changes for this • This species is also widely Elsewhere the species breeds on species. Cape Horn, Falkland, South Georgia, bycaught outside New Zealand Crozet, Kerguelen, Heard and waters, in southern hemisphere • Almost 50% of the global Macquarie islands. longline and trawl fisheries. population lives on islands free from introduced predators, Breeding period: Begins in August including in New Zealand. with eggs laid in late September and ends in April. • Ticks and avian diseases. • Numbers of visitors to some Frequency of breeding: Annual. breeding colonies. This is not Number of eggs: One. currently a threat in New Zealand. Type of nests: Colonial nesters. Nest on terraces on top of coastal tussock-clad cliffs or steep slopes. Builds a pedestal nest of soil, guano and vegetation. NZ Conservation Status: Declining

MPI Species Code: XWM New Zealand white-capped albatross MPI Group Code: XAL Thalassarche cauta steadi

Feeding and range

Eats: Squid and fish. Range: During the breeding season they feed over the Snares Island Shelf and Auckland Island Shelf.

Interesting facts Photo: © M. P. Pierre Photo: © M. P. Photo: Ron Knight, CC by 2.0 Researchers monitor the white- Head: White with faint grey on cheeks. capped albatross population with the help of counts made using Body: The large albatross has a white chest, belly and rump. photos taken from helicopters, of the birds at their breeding islands. Dark upperwings. Underwings are white with narrow black margins. Wings: This method disturbs nesting Bill: Light greyish-white with yellow tip and a faint yellow patch near the albatrosses significantly less than base of the top mandible. conducting counts from the ground. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Breed only in At sea On land New Zealand on Disappointment • White-capped albatross are caught • There are few land-based threats Island, Adams Island, Auckland in trawl and longline fisheries in to the species. Island, and Bollons Island. About New Zealand. 96% of the total population breeds • Mammalian predators (especially on . • It has been estimated that feral pigs) on Auckland Island more than 8,000 white-capped destroy nests and eat eggs Breeding period: Egg laying starts albatrosses are killed annually in and chicks. in mid-November and the chicks trawl and longline fisheries around fledge in mid-August. the southern hemisphere. Frequency of breeding: Annual. • Outside New Zealand waters, white-capped albatrosses have Number of eggs: One. been reported caught in trawl and Type of nests: Colonial nesters that longline fisheries off , build large mound nests out of soil and in Uruguayan longline fisheries and vegetation. in the southwest Atlantic Ocean. • Distinguishing white-capped and shy albatrosses is difficult. This leads to uncertainty about which albatross is being caught in some fisheries. NZ Conservation Status: Recovering

MPI Species Code: XNP Northern giant petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Macronectes halli

Feeding and range Eats: Feed on squid. Frequently seen scavenging around dead seals and . Also known to attack and eat smaller species of seabirds.

Range: Birds disperse widely over the Southern Ocean, mainly north of the Antarctic Convergence.

Photo: J.P. Pierre Photo: J.P. Pierre Photo: © M. P. The northern giant petrel is more restricted to foraging near shorelines Head: Mottled white on their head and neck. White face and chin as they mature. than the southern giant petrel. Many mature northern giant petrels remain Mottled white on their breast. Older birds become a mottled dark grey Body: near their breeding colonies year- on their upper body. round, while immature birds appear to make circumpolar journeys. Wings: Wingspan is 150-200 cm.

Bill: Light pink with a reddish-brown tip. One way to tell northern giant petrels apart from southern giant petrels is by the pinkish-brown tip on the bill of the Interesting facts northern giants (compared with greenish tips on southern giants). Giant petrels are the only petrel Juvenile features: Entirely blackish-brown with a pale bill. species that will feed on land. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Auckland At sea On land Islands (Enderby, Ewing, Ocean, • Northern giant petrels have been • Currently there are not many Disappointment), Campbell Island bycaught in longline and trawl threats to northern giant petrels group, Antipodes Island, and fisheries in New Zealand. on land. Chatham Islands (Forty-Fours, Big Sister, Little Sister). Elsewhere • Outside New Zealand, bycatch of • Northern giant petrels are quite breeds at Macquarie, Kerguelen, this petrel has been reported from sensitive to human disturbance Crozet, Prince Edward and South longline fisheries, off Australia, and will sometimes abandon eggs Georgia islands. Chile, South Africa and Prince or young chicks if approached Edward Island. too closely. Breeding period: Seasons vary slightly based on colony, August/ • Entanglement and ingestion of October to February/March. plastics are other marine threats.

Frequency of breeding: Annual. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Loose colonial nesters, often breed in dispersed pairs. Build nests amongst vegetation on rugged terrain. IUCN Red List: Least concern

MPI Species Code: XSP Southern giant petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Macronectes giganteus

Feeding and range

Eats: Feed on squid. They are opportunists that can be found in mixed flocks with northern giant petrels and are often seen scavenging around dead seals and whales. They are also known to attack and eat smaller species of seabirds.

Photo: Dennis Buurman Photography Photos Roving Tortoise De Roy, Photo: Tui Range: Breeding adults spend summers near breeding colonies. Head: Two distinct colour phases. The dark phase has speckled white head In winter, some adults remain in and neck feathers. The white phase has a completely white head and neck Antarctic waters, while others move except for a few dark feathers. further north and disperse across the Body: Dark phase can be confused with the northern giant petrel, but southern Southern Ocean. giant petrel adults are much paler on the neck and underbody. White phase birds are white except for a few scattered dark feathers. Interesting facts Wings: Wingspan 150-200 cm. Southern giant petrels are sometimes Bill: Pale peach with a greenish tip. known as stinkers because they Juvenile features: Fledge black with their plumage slowly fading as they can spit foul-smelling oil when mature. Juveniles take about seven years to develop adult plumage. threatened. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Nests in small At sea On land colonies on ice-free Antarctic • Southern giant petrels have been • Highly sensitive to human and islands. Visits reported caught in longline and disturbance. Known to abandon New Zealand waters, but does trawl fisheries in New Zealand. nests if close contact is made. not breed in New Zealand. • Outside New Zealand waters, Breeding period: September- captures have been reported from March at northern colonies and Argentinian longline fisheries along November-May in Antarctica. the Patagonian Shelf. Frequency of breeding: Annual. • Bycatch of this species also occurs in trawl fisheries off Number of eggs: One. the Falkland Islands. Type of nests: Small breeding colonies are often close to • Entanglement and ingestion of penguin colonies. plastics are other marine threats. NZ Conservation Status: Naturally Uncommon

MPI Species Code: XGP Grey petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Procellaria cinerea

Feeding and range

Eats: Squid, fish and crustaceans. Range: These circumpolar foragers prefer deep ocean basins. They avoid shelves except near breeding islands and off Argentina in autumn.

Photo: Dennis Buurman Photography Photos Roving Tortoise De Roy, Photo: Tui Interesting facts

Head: Grey with a darker grey crown. Grey petrels are strong swimmers and can dive to depths of 10 m Body: Large, grey with darker upper body. Under body is white. Tail is grey in search of food. and wedge-shaped. Other names for the grey petrel Wings: Upperwings are grey. Underwings are darker grey. include grey shearwater, brown petrel, black-tailed shearwater, Feet: Greyish pink. and black-tailed petrel.

Bill: Pale white with yellow or green tinge and dark purplish patches. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: In New Zealand At sea On land breeds at Campbell Island and • Grey petrels have been captured • Feral cats and rats have Antipodes Islands. Grey petrels also in longline and trawl fisheries in exterminated grey petrel breed at Kerguelen, Amsterdam, New Zealand. populations on Crozet, Prince Edward, Tristan and Crozet Islands (Hog). They • Grey petrels are capable divers da Cunha and Gough islands. have also reduced populations on and have been observed diving Amsterdam, Marion, Possession Breeding period: March deeply to retrieve baits cast by and Campbell islands. to November. longliners, especially tuna and ling fishing vessels. Frequency of breeding: Annual. • Grey petrels have been reported Number of eggs: One. bycaught in many longline Type of nests: Colonial nesters. fisheries outside New Zealand, Nest in burrows. including around Australia, along the Patagonian shelf, and around and Kerguelen Island. • Fisheries bycatch of this species around Kerguelen Island has been identified as a serious threat for the population of this species in the southern Indian Ocean. NZ Conservation Status: Naturally Uncommon

MPI Species Code: XWP Westland petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Procellaria westlandica

Feeding and range

Eats: Mainly fish and squid. The species is also known to use offal for a significant part of its diet, especially when feeding chicks.

Range: A highly pelagic species, at sea the Westland petrel ranges from Tasmania to the territorial waters Photo: Mark Jobling 4.0 CC BY-NC Photo: Peter Shearer, of Chile. While breeding (March- November) found in New Zealand Head: Black. shelf waters and Tasman Sea. From Body: Large black petrel that is similar looking to the white-chinned petrel. November to April migrates across the Pacific: adults travel south to Wings: Black. Cape Horn while immature birds travel north to the Humboldt Current. Feet: Legs and feet black.

Bill: Mature birds have bills that are pale yellow with a large black tip. Interesting facts The Westland petrel can often be seen from the Cook Strait ferry. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: The species breeds At sea On land only in New Zealand in the coastal • Westland petrels have been • Introduced mammals sometimes foothills near Punakaiki on the recorded bycaught in longline, prey on eggs, chicks and South Island’s West Coast. trawl, and setnet fisheries in even adults. New Zealand. Breeding period: Breed each winter • Mining and agricultural activities between May and November. • Outside New Zealand, Westland have destroyed some habitat petrel are reported as bycatch adjacent to breeding colonies. Frequency of breeding: Annual. from longline fisheries off Chile • Birds occasionally strike power Number of eggs: One. and Australia. lines when flying to and from Type of nests: Colonial nesters the colony. that excavate burrows. NZ Conservation Status: Not threatened

MPI Species Code: XWC White-chinned petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Procellaria aequinoctialis

Feeding and range

Eats: Mainly krill and fish. Range: Forage across the Southern Ocean between the tropics and Antarctica. One of the few species that is commonly seen foraging over both shelves and ocean basins. Photo: Darren Scott Photo: Darren 3.0 Photo: Mjobling, CC BY-SA Interesting facts Head: Blackish-brown with a few white feathers under the bill (which are difficult to observe at sea). White-chinned petrels were called shoemakers by the early sealers Body: Large blackish-brown petrel that is similar looking to the Westland petrel. because of the clacking and rattling sounds they make in their burrows. Wings: Blackish-brown.

Feet: Legs and feet are black.

Bill: Light yellow. One of the visible differences between the Westland petrel and the white-chinned petrel is that the white-chinned petrel does not have a dark tip at the end of its bill. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: In New Zealand, At sea On land the white-chinned petrel breeds • The white-chinned petrel has • Introduced mammals are a threat annually in colonies at the Auckland been caught in longline, trawl, and at some colonies. Islands, Campbell Island group and setnet fisheries in New Zealand. Antipodes Islands. It also breeds at • Human disturbance is an issue, Kerguelen, Crozet, Prince Edward, • White-chinned petrels are adept with visitors unintentionally Marion, South Georgia and divers. They are often bycaught crushing burrows by walking Falkland islands. in trawl and longline fisheries over them. around the southern hemisphere Breeding period: November (including in the Pacific, Indian to May. and Atlantic Oceans). Frequency of breeding: Annual. • The species is known to forage for bait both during the day and night. Number of eggs incubated: One. Type of nests: Colonial nesters. Nest in burrows. NZ Conservation Status: Nationally Vulnerable

MPI Species Code: XBP Black petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Procellaria parkinsoni

Feeding and range

Eats: Fish and crustaceans. Range: The black petrel forages mainly off the eastern and in the Tasman Sea. Black petrels migrate after breeding to the eastern tropical Pacific, with birds frequently seen off the coast

Photo: DOC 2.0 Morris, CC BY-NC Photo: Tony between southern and northern Peru and westwards to Head: Dark. the Galapagos Islands.

Body: Medium-sized, very dark brown or black.

Wings: Dark brown or black. Interesting facts Black petrel colonies were once Feet: Black. found on the mountains and hills on Bill: Pale yellow with a dark tip. the North Island and north–western South Island, but most colonies were The black petrel looks very similar to the Westland petrel, but is Other notes: lost before the 1950s. smaller. Its range is also further north and north-east of the North Island than the Westland petrel. Also known as Parkinson’s petrel. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: The only remaining At sea On land colonies of the species are found • Black petrels are the New Zealand • The species was eradicated by on Little Barrier Island and Great seabird species assessed as most feral cats and other mammalian Barrier Island. likely to be bycaught in excess of predators from many of its former sustainability limits. breeding colonies. The removal of Breeding period: November feral cats from Little Barrier Island to June. • This petrel has been reported has helped to slow its decline. caught in longline and trawl Frequency of breeding: Annual. fisheries in New Zealand. • On , Number of eggs: One. mammalian predators may take • Beyond New Zealand waters, some eggs and kill some chicks Type of nests: Colonial nesters. black petrels interact with longline and adults. DOC conducts Nest in burrows. fisheries off Chile and Peru. predator trapping to reduce these impacts. NZ Conservation Status: NZ Conservation Status: Relict Not threatened

Common diving petrel MPI Species Code: XDP Northern diving petrel, southern diving petrel and subantarctic diving petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Pelecanoides urinatrix urinatrix, P. u. chathamensis and P. u. exsul

Feeding and range

Eats: Mainly small crustaceans. Range: Foraging habitats not well known. However, this small seabird can travel thousands of kilometres to oceanic areas in the non-breeding season. Photo: Dick Veitch Photo: Dick Veitch Interesting facts Head: Dark. Common diving petrels are the most Body: Small, stocky bodies with dark plumage on upper body and light grey aquatic of all petrels and frequently plumage on throat and chest. dive and “fly” underwater to capture their prey. Wings: Dark plumage on upperwings and light grey plumage on underwings. Wingspan 33-38 cm. This petrel has been recorded diving to depths of 11 m in New Zealand Legs and feet are a light blue. Feet: waters, and 64 m off the Kerguelen Bill: Black, short and broad. Islands. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: The subantarctic At sea On land diving petrel breeds at Auckland • Common diving petrels have been • Introduced predators on breeding Islands, Antipodes Islands and reported bycaught in New Zealand islands are the greatest threat. Campbell Island group. trawl and longline fisheries. Diving petrel colonies can be The southern diving petrel breeds destroyed within three to five years around Foveaux Strait, and on because fledglings return to natal Stewart Island and surrounding islets colonies at one to two years of and rock stacks. It also breeds at the age and adults visit their nesting Snares and at the Chatham Islands. burrows eight to ten months of the year. The northern diving petrel breeds on islands and small stacks around • Diving petrels breed in shallow the North Island and Cook Strait, burrows that are easily damaged. from Three Kings Islands to Brothers • Diving petrels are attracted to Island. The northern diving petrel bright lights. Birds have been also breeds on up to 20 islands reported crashing into brightly lit off Australia. buildings near breeding colonies or onto ships at sea. Breeding period: August to February. Frequency of breeding: Annual. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Colonial. Nest in burrows and natural cavities. NZ Conservation Status: Not threatened

MPI Species Code: XGF Grey-faced petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Pterodroma gouldi

Feeding and range

Eats: Mainly squid, but also fish and crustaceans. Range: At sea they forage widely over the south-west Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea. Highly pelagic, grey-faced petrels forage beyond the continental shelf and are seldom seen in inshore waters Photo: Rod Morris Greene Photo: Terry except near their nesting areas Head: Dark brown head with a grey face. during breeding season.

Body: Large with dark sooty brown plumage on its entire body.

Wings: Black or brown. Interesting facts Grey-faced petrels still breed on Black legs and feet. Feet: the mainland of New Zealand. Bill: Black. Most of these remaining mainland colonies are small, with less than 500 breeding pairs. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: The grey-faced At sea On land petrel breeds on islands, rock • Grey-faced petrels have been • The greatest land-based threat to stacks and headlands from the caught in New Zealand’s longline grey-faced petrels is introduced Three Kings Islands down to Omata and trawl fisheries. mammals at their breeding near New Plymouth. It also breeds grounds. Feral rats and cats are • Caught in Australia’s southern on many islets in the Hauraki Gulf particularly problematic. and Bay of Plenty, a number of bluefin tuna fishery. islands and headlands west of • Human disturbance is an issue, Auckland, and at a number of with visitors unintentionally locations in the Gisborne and crushing burrows by walking East Cape regions. over them.

Breeding period: Breeds June to January.

Frequency of breeding: Annual. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Colonial nester that nests in burrows. IUCN Red List: Least concern

MPI Species Code: XCC Cape pigeon/petrel MPI Group Code: XXP Daption capense

Feeding and range

Eats: Feed mainly on krill, but also eat fish and squid. They are also known to scavenge near fishing vessels and near marine mammal carcasses.

Range: Circumpolar, but during the summer feed close to their breeding colonies in Antarctica’s

Photo: © M.P. Pierre Photo: © M.P. Pierre Photo: © M.P. waters especially shelf areas. Winter range extends from the ice edge to Head: Black head and neck. eastern tropical Pacific, especially off Argentina, south-west Africa, Australia Medium-sized. Under body is mostly white with some black marking on Body: and New Zealand. Most commonly chin and throat. Upper body has a distinctive black and white pattern. found foraging on shelves. Wings: Underwings are mostly white with black margins. Upperwings feature a distinctive black and white pattern. The two subspecies found in New Zealand’s Interesting facts waters are easiest to tell apart by the amount of black on their upperwings. Cape pigeons earned their common Snares Cape pigeon (D.c. australe) has dark upperwings with white patches. name because of the way they peck Southern Cape pigeon (D.c. capense) has whiter upperwings with black flecks. at the water to capture prey and Bill: Black. because of their presence around Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Cape petrels breed At sea On land on numerous islands surrounding • Cape petrels have been caught in • Skuas are natural predators and Antarctica. The Snares trawl, longline and setnet fisheries will prey on eggs and chicks. breeds in many locations in the in New Zealand. subantarctic islands and Chatham Islands. • Outside New Zealand waters, this species is also bycaught, Breeding period: November for example, in Argentinean and to March. South African longline fisheries. Frequency of breeding: Annual. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Colonial nesters. They build simple nests that are usually on cliffs or steep slopes with easy access to the sea. NZ Conservation Status: Naturally Uncommon

MPI Species Code: XBS Buller’s shearwater MPI Group Code: XXP Puffinus bulleri

Feeding and range

Eats: Fish, squid and crustaceans. Range: During the breeding season they forage north of the Subtropical Convergence, usually staying over the continental shelf. The species is also found in the mid-Tasman Sea and off eastern Australia. Migrates

Photo: Dick Veitch Photo: DOC to the North Pacific Ocean in winter and disperses widely from Japan Dark grey upper half and white lower half. Head: and Alaska east to California. Some Body: Large, white-bellied shearwater. Undersides are white. annually migrate to the territorial waters of Peru and Chile. Wings: Distinctive “M” pattern on its upperwings. Underwings are white with dark-grey margins. Interesting facts Bill: Grey bill. By 1936 the population on Aorangi Island had been all but wiped out (c. 100 nests left) by feral pigs. Once the pigs were removed the population rapidly increased. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: The species At sea On land breeds only on islands in the • Recorded caught in longline and • Fire is a threat because the Poor Poor Knights group. trawl fisheries in New Zealand. Knights are very dry in summer and fires could cause temporary Breeding period: November • There is a risk of the species being losses in the population. to May. caught in setnets. • Burrows are easily collapsed by Frequency of breeding: Annual. • May be caught on hand and people moving about on colonies. reel lines. Number of eggs: One. Visitor access is strictly limited • Reported bycaught in large-scale Type of nests: They nest in to protect the birds and other burrows or crevices on cliffs gillnet fisheries in the central north threatened fauna on the islands. and bush-clad slopes. Pacific Ocean. • Scavenge food behind trawlers and occasionally around recreational fishing boats. NZ Conservation Status: Nationally Vulnerable

MPI Species Code: XFS Flesh-footed shearwater MPI Group Code: XXP Puffinus carneipes

Feeding and range

Eats: Fish, squid and crustaceans. Range: Forages over continental shelves north of the Subtropical Convergence during the summer and the New Zealand population migrates to the North Pacific Ocean between May and September. Photo: G. Barry Baker Photo: Mike Double, SOSSA

Head: Black or dark brown. Interesting facts The calls that flesh-footed Body: Small shearwater. Black or dark brown. shearwaters make are a series of Wings: Black or dark brown. high-pitched moans. Their calls have been likened to the sound Pink legs and feet. Similar looking to the black petrel, one of the visible Feet: of cats fighting. differences between the two species are the distinctive pink feet that flesh- footed shearwaters have. Black petrels have black feet. Although they voraciously eat whole livers, the species is effectively Bill: Pale pink with a dark tip. deterred from attending fishing vessels by spreading small quantities of shark liver oil on the sea surface. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: In New Zealand At sea On land breeds on islands around the • Reported caught from longline, • Mammals are a potential threat North Island and Cook Strait, trawl and setnet fisheries in to some flesh-footed shearwater including Hen & Chickens Islands, New Zealand. colonies. The largest colonies in Mercury Islands, Ohinau, Karewa, New Zealand occur on islands that • Caught off eastern Australia by Kauwahaia, Motumahanga, Middle are free of ship rats, rats tuna longliners. Trio and Titi. Elsewhere it breeds and mustelids. on , in South • Reported caught in high-seas • Visitors can unintentionally crush Australia, western Australia and on driftnets in the north Pacific Ocean. some islands in the Indian Ocean. burrows when walking over them. • Recreational fishers catch Breeding period: December flesh-footed shearwaters on hand to May. and reel lines.

Frequency of breeding: Annual. • Plastic ingestion may be a problem for this species. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Colonial. Nests in burrows. IUCN Red List: Least concern

MPI Species Code: XTS Short-tailed shearwater MPI Group Code: XXP Puffinus tenuirostris

Feeding and range

Eats: Krill, squid and fish. Range: Forage in summer and autumn south of Australia and to the South Indian Ocean. In winter most migrate to the North Pacific to the seas off the Aleutian Islands and Kamchatka. Photo: Troy Guy, US Fish & Wildlife Service Guy, Photo: Troy 3.0 Photo: JJ Harrison, CC BY-SA

Dark brown. Head: Interesting facts Dark brown with lighter-coloured breast. Similar looking to sooty Body: The short-tailed shearwater is shearwaters, but short-tailed shearwaters are plumper in appearance. thought to have a total population of Wings: Dark brown upperwings with paler underwings. Underwings about 23 million birds. Its numbers are darker than the underwings of sooty shearwaters. are stable or possibly increasing. It is one of the few Australian native birds Feet: Legs and feet are dark on the outer parts and mauve-pink on to be commercially harvested. They the inside. are closely related to New Zealand’s sooty shearwaters. Bill: Dark, narrow bills are shorter than sooty shearwater bills. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Short-tailed At sea On land shearwater colonies are present • Reported caught in New Zealand • Habitat destruction is a major on many islands off the Australian trawl fisheries. threat to short-tailed shearwater coast. Visits New Zealand’s waters, colonies. but does not breed in New Zealand. • Reported to interact with trawl warps and nets in Australian • Trampling of burrows by pigs, Breeding period: November waters. sheep, and cows has destroyed to April. entire colonies. • Reported as frequent bycatch in Frequency of breeding: Annual. gillnet fisheries in the north • Feral cats and uncontrolled dogs Pacific Ocean. kill shearwater chicks. Number of eggs: One. • Caught in longline and trawl • Burrows are easily collapsed by Type of nests: Breed in colonies. Nest in burrows. fisheries in the Bering Sea. people moving about on colonies and erosion caused by recreational vehicles can destroy suitable sites for burrowing. • Over-harvesting is another potential threat to short-tailed shearwater numbers. NZ Conservation Status: Declining

MPI Species Code: XSH Sooty shearwater (also known as tïtï or muttonbird) MPI Group Code: XXP Puffinus griseus

Feeding and range

Eats: Fish and squid. Range: The sooty shearwater is one of the world’s most widely distributed seabirds. Birds from New Zealand forage over the South Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea. They migrate to the North Pacific

Photo: Rod Morris CC-SA 3.0 Sunbird, Photo: Sabine’s Ocean in the austral winter and spread over the entire central and Chocolate brown. Head: eastern Pacific Ocean, with a few Body: Medium-sized shearwater that is dark-chocolate brown. birds reaching the Arctic Ocean.

Wings: Chocolate brown upperwings with silver-white underwings. Wingspan is 95-110 cm. Interesting facts Feet: Legs and feet are dark on the outer side and light mauve-pink on the Sooty shearwaters are amazing inner side. divers. They are known to dive to almost 70 m. Bill: Dark, narrow and longer than short-tailed shearwaters. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Sooty shearwaters At sea On land breed on numerous islands around • Sooty shearwaters have been • Introduced mammals are New Zealand from Three Kings reported caught in commercial the greatest threat to sooty Islands to the Campbell Island trawl, longline and setnet fisheries shearwaters on land. group, including Stewart Island, the in New Zealand. Snares, Auckland Islands, Campbell • Cattle, sheep and goats damage Island group, Antipodes Islands and • Recreational fishermen also catch burrows on some islands. Rabbits Chatham Islands. A few are also these shearwaters, on hand or may compete for burrows present on coastal headlands on the reel lines and in setnets in some or disturb nesting birds on South Island mainland. Elsewhere locations. a few islands. the species breeds on at least 17 • Elsewhere, sooty shearwaters are • Visitors can unintentionally crush islands off Australia, islands off killed in longline, trawl and gillnet burrows when walking over them. Chile, and the Falkland Islands. fisheries. • Sooty shearwaters are harvested Breeding period: November in commercial operations at to May. traditional sites around Stewart Island by descendants of Rakiura Frequency of breeding: Annual. Maori. There are also reports of Number of eggs: One. occasional small-scale illegal harvests in other locations. Type of nests: Breeds in colonies. Nests in burrows. IUCN Red List: Least concern Wedge-tailed shearwater MPI Group Code: XXP Puffinus pacificus pacificus

Feeding and range

Eats: Fish, squid and crustaceans. Range: New Zealand birds are thought to migrate to the eastern Pacific between June and mid-October.

Photo: Tony Palliser, courtesy of SOSSA Palliser, Photo: Tony courtesy of SOSSA Palliser, Photo: Tony Interesting facts Head: Dark. Birds breeding in New Zealand and Norfolk Island colonies are Large with dark plumage covering entire body and wedge tail. Body: larger than other populations of this species. Wings: Dark upperwings and underwings. There is a wide variety in plumage Peach. Feet: for the species. The birds in Bill: Grey. Hawaiian and Indian Ocean colonies have white underparts. Birds on the Kermadec Islands, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and other islands off the coast of Australia are all dark. Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: Breeds in a At sea On land number of locations, including the • There is some evidence that this • Norway rats and feral cats were Kermadec Islands, islands off the species may be vulnerable to two of the greatest threats to Australian coast and many tropical commercial fishing operations the species. Both have been and subtropical islands in the Indian around the world, particularly eradicated from Raoul Island. and Pacific oceans. during the non-breeding season. • Volcanic activity at Raoul and Breeding period: Birds in southern Curtis islands potentially threatens hemisphere begin breeding each these breeding colonies. September but those at the Kermadec Islands do not lay • Visitors to colonies can until December. unintentionally crush burrows by walking over them. Frequency of breeding: Annual. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Often form large colonies. Burrow nesters. NZ Conservation Status: Relict

MPI Species Code: XFP Fairy prion MPI Group Code: XXP Pachyptila turtur

Feeding and range

Eats: Krill. Range: Found throughout oceans and coastal areas in the southern hemisphere.

Interesting facts Photo: Dave Crouchley Photo: Dave Crouchley Fairy prions are the smallest of Head: Bluish-grey top with white around eyes and below bill. all prions. They are also one of New Zealand’s most abundant Body: Underbody is white. Blue-grey back. petrels. Research indicates that New Zealand has more than 50% Wings: Blue-grey upperwings with a black M-shaped mark across them. Underwings are white. Feature a broad black tip on their tail. of the world population.

Feet: Dark bluish-grey.

Bill: Short blue bill (approximately 22 mm long and 11 mm wide). Breeding Threats

Breeding sites: In New Zealand At sea On land breeds in colonies on a number • Fairy prions are not frequent vessel • Introduced predators are the of offshore islands from the Poor followers, but they are sometimes greatest threat to fairy prion Knights south, as well as the attracted by the lights of stationary populations. All remaining Chatham, Snares and Antipodes ships at night. colonies in New Zealand are islands. Elsewhere breeds on on rodent-free islands. 30 islands and rocks off Victoria • Fairy prions have been bycaught in and Tasmania (Australia), also trawl fisheries in New Zealand. • Grazing can affect prion Macquarie, Heard, Kerguelen, populations by crushing burrows. St. Paul, Crozet, Prince Edward, • Visitors to colonies can Marion, South Georgia and unintentionally crush burrows Falkland islands. by walking over them.

Breeding period: October • Fire is a risk during breeding to February. season because many colonies are in grassy habitats. Frequency of breeding: Annual. Number of eggs: One. Type of nests: Often form large colonies. Burrow nesters. Further reading

There are many excellent web- References used in the preparation For more information on the IUCN based resources available for of this Guide, and sources of more Red List: information on seabirds include learning more about seabirds. http://www.iucnredlist.org. the following: If you are interested in learning For more information about seabirds Robertson, H.A.; Baird, K.; Dowding, more about seabird interactions occurring in New Zealand: J.E.; Elliott, G.P.; Hitchmough, R.A.; with New Zealand commercial Miskelly, C.M.; McArthur, N.; O’Donnell, http://www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz/ fisheries, go to the Department C.F.J.; Sagar, P.M.; Scofield, R.P.; Taylor, https://acap.aq/en/acap-species of Conservation’s Conservation G.A. 2016. Conservation status of Services Programme website New Zealand birds, 2016. New Zealand For more information about seabird (http://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/ Threat Classification Series 19. bycatch in New Zealand fisheries: conservation-services-programme/), https://psc.dragonfly.co.nz/ or email [email protected].

Special thanks to Johanna Pierre, Stephanie Rowe, Graeme Taylor and Peter Moore from the Department of Conservation for reviewing and commenting on this resource. Compiled by Shelly Farr Biswell. Design by Lisa Paton of Morphological Environmental Communication. All photos courtesy of the Department of Conservation unless otherwise noted. Published 2007. Updated 2017 by Johanna Pierre.