Grey Ternlet - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Procelsterna cerulea

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 08 Mar 2018

Description

Small noddy tern with pale blue-grey plumage and slate-grey wingtips. The bill and legs are black and the feet are black with yellowish webbing. The large black eyes have a ring around them, black in front and white behind.

Distribution

Widely distributed in the southern Pacific Ocean, breeding on oceanic islands including Lord Howe Island.

Habitat and ecology

Marine
Breeds on Lord Howe Island on seacliffs of northern hills and southern mountains, and also on offshore islands including Admiralty Islets, Muttonbird Island and Ball's Pyramid.
This species makes a rough nest of seaweed and grass in pockets and hollows along cliff faces.
Food consists of small fish, crustaceans and squid taken from the water's surface.
Vagrant birds occasionally occur in coastal NSW waters, particularly after storm events.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Predation of eggs and young by rodents at nesting sites on Lord Howe Island main island.
Possible introduction of rodents to offshore islands in Lord Howe Island group.
Potential for competition for nest sites with Feral Pigeon on sea cliffs of northern hills on Lord Howe Island.
Intensive fishing operations in feeding grounds.
Insufficient understanding of distribution.
Insufficient understanding of species ecology.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control and eradicate introduced rodents on Lord Howe Island.
Establish rodent baiting stations on key offshore islands in Lord Howe Island group to prevent establishment of rodents.
Control and eradicate Feral Pigeons on Lord Howe Island.
Monitor status of population.
Support sustainable fishing practices.

Information sources

Hutton, I. (1991) Birds of Lord Howe Island Past and Present.
Schodde, R. and Mason, I.J. (1999) The Directory of Australian Birds. (CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Ocean	Batemans Shelf	Predicted	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Southern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Pacific Subtropical Islands	Lord Howe Island	Known	None

Images

Grey Ternlet
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Nature conservation

Threatened species