Gould's Petrel - 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: Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Gazetted date: 31 Jul 2009

Profile last updated: 01 Dec 2017

Description

Has a body length of 30 cm and a wingspan of 75 cm. The upper surface of their long narrow wings has a distictive 'M' pattern. This together with a darker head, distinguishes them from other petrels of similar size. The underside of the wings and body are white with a dark edge to the wing that terminates in a diagonal bar. Both sexes are identical and immature birds fledge in adult plumage.

Distribution

Breeds on both Cabbage Tree Island, 1.4 km offshore from Port Stephens and on nearby Boondelbah island. The range and feeding areas of non-breeding petrels are unknown.

Habitat and ecology

The first arrival of Gould's petrel on cabbage tree Island occurs from mid to late September.
Principal nesting habitat is located within two gullies which are characterised by steeply, sloping rock scree with a canopy of Cabbage Tree Palms.
They nest predominantly in natural rock crevices among the rock scree and also in hollow fallen palm trunks, under mats of fallen palm fronds and in cavities among the buttresses of fig trees.
They breed colonially and the nests are clumped and often less than 1 m apart.
Egg laying takes place over a six week period commencing in early November.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Ocean

Threats

Entanglement with the sticky fruits of the Bird-lime Tree (Pisonia umbellifera).
Predation by avian predators.
Human disturbance from jet aircraft and recreational use.
Risk that wildfire will occur on any of the islands - likely to cause offspring mortality and loss of habitat / protective cover.
Entanglement in invasive grass (Pennisetum clandestinum).
Climate change induced restrictions in foraging for successful breeding.
Encroachment of habitat by invasive weeds
Soil creep dislodging artificial nesting habitat

Recovery strategies

A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click here

Activities to assist this species

Maintain predation by avian predators at artificially low levels.
Minimise human interference.
Remove Pisonia seedlings from within nesting habitat.

Information sources

NSW Scientific Committee (1998) Gould's petrel - Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Ocean	Batemans Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Hawkesbury Shelf	Known	None
Ocean	Manning Shelf	Predicted	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Known	None
Ocean	Twofold Shelf	Known	None
Ocean - Other State	Northern Australian Coastal Waters	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None