Providence Petrel - profile

Indicative distribution

Loading map...

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: Pterodroma solandri

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 08 Mar 2018

Description

A robustly built petrel, dark grey in general colour with a brown-grey head with fine, white scalloping on the face and forehead and cream triangular patches under the wing. Bill is stout and black, eyes dark brown and feet are generally black, sometimes with pale grey webbing.

Distribution

Ranges across eastern Pacific. Only known breeding sites are at Lord Howe Island and Philip Island, offshore from Norfolk Island. Previously also bred on main Norfolk Island but extinct there by 1800.

Habitat and ecology

Marine
Nest on the tops of Mount Gower and Mount Lidgbird and to a less extent, on the lower slopes of the mountains.
The nest is a grass lined chamber at the end of a burrow, 1 - 2 metres in length.

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 the nesting grounds.
Disturbance of birds and habitat by tourist activities.
The species is susceptible to extinction via stochastic processes due to its small known population size and restricted distribution.
Entry of unknown pathogens / exotic species to the island - potential to cause local extinction in a short timeframe.
Pet cats and feral population predate nests and adults.

Recovery strategies

Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Office of Environment and Heritage has identified 2 priority actions to help recover the Providence Petrel in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control and eradicate introduced rodents.
Manage tourist activities to minimise disruption to birds.

Information sources

Hutton, I. (1991) Birds of Lord Howe Island Past and Present.
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW) (2007) Lord Howe Island Biodiversity Management Plan
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	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean	Twofold Shelf	Known	None
Pacific Subtropical Islands	Lord Howe Island	Known	None

Images

Providence Petrel Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

Nature conservation

Threatened species