Kermadec Petrel (west Pacific subspecies) - 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 neglecta neglecta

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Vulnerable

Profile last updated: 13 Nov 2024

Description

A medium-sized petrel. Several colour phases from dark brown over the whole body, with a few flecks of grey on the face to a lighter form which is sooty brown above with pale grey head and white underparts. The darker form is characteristic at Lord Howe Island. Tail short and square cut. White markings on upper wings. Bill short and black and legs and feet flesh-coloured. Eyes dark brown.

Distribution

Ranges over subtropical and tropical waters of the South Pacific. Balls Pyramid (near Lord Howe Island) and Phillip Island (near Norfolk Island) are the only known breeding sites in Australian waters.

Habitat and ecology

Marine
Breeds on islands across the South Pacific. In Australia it breeds on Ball's Pyramid and Phillip Island (near Norfolk Island).
Nests in a crevice amongst rocks.
Diet is squid and crustaceans.
Vagrant birds 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

Possible introduction of the Black Rat to offshore islands.
Risk of local extinction due to small population size.
Insufficient understanding of species ecology.
Lack of understanding of threats impacting juvenile and pre-breeding birds at-sea, such as fisheries interactions and wind turbine strike.
Nest predation by native woodhens resulting in direct loss of fledglings.
Entanglement and loss of habitat from weeds.
Lack of breeding habitat for the species leading to competition for nesting sites.

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 0 priority actions to help recover the Kermadec Petrel (west Pacific subspecies) in New South Wales.

Activities to assist this species

Control and eradicate introduced rodents on Lord Howe Island.
Establish rodent baiting stations on key offshore islands to prevent establishment of rodents.
Monitor status of population.

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	Predicted	None
Ocean	South Pacific Ocean	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Predicted	None
Ocean	Twofold Shelf	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Pacific Subtropical Islands	Lord Howe Island	Known	None

Images

Kermadec Petrel, in flight.
Enlarge image

Nature conservation

Threatened species