Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta Scientific name definitions

The Kermadec Petrel is a tropical species in the genus Pterodroma, the Gadfly Petrels. It occurs largely in the Pacific Ocean, but also nests on one island in the Indian Ocean and there is some controversy over whether it is also found in the Atlantic! This petrel is a relatively large and sturdy species with variable plumage, ranging from pale headed and pale bellied morphs, to all dark morphs. The field mark that applies to all plumages is that this species has a white flash on the underwing, as in jaegers (Stercorarius), and diagnostic is that it has white shafts on the upper side of the primaries. Curiously, the behavior of this petrel also is jaeger-like as it is known to kleptoparasitize other seabirds. It has been suggested that the jaeger-like appearance may facilitate kleptoparasitism, so it may be one an avian example of Mullerian Mimicry.

38 cm; 315–590 g (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); wingspan 92 cm. Medium-sized gadfly petrel with silvery white bases to underside of primaries, and diagnostic white shafts on upper surface visible even in poor conditions . Highly variable in general coloration (e.g. on Raoul, of 549 young, 101 had blackish underparts, 215 grey, 183 greyish and 50 white) (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ), with entire range of intermediates  between dark  and pale  phases: palest birds have mostly white head  with some grey and brown on crown to hindneck, otherwise dull brown above, darker on remiges and primary-coverts, with contrasting white shafts on primaries; underwing has darkish dull brown coverts, variable whitish leading edge between carpal and body, greyer greater coverts, greater primary-coverts can have pale silvery base and remiges dusky grey with exposed basal half of primaries silvery white; underparts white with grey-brown smudging on neck and upper breast, undertail-coverts freckled brown, and may show some white at base of outermost pair of rectrices; darkest birds uniform dark sooty brown, lacking whitish leading edge to underwing, but both surfaces of distal half of wing show species’ typical pattern; most are intermediate  , with at least some pale feathering on sides of forehead to cheeks, often also on chin, more or less pale abdomen and pale spotting on proximal half of leading edge to underwing; iris dark brown; bill black; legs and base of feet pink, rest of feet blackish, but dark morphs can have all-blackish legs and feet. Sexes alike, but female averages very marginally smaller in most measurements, except tail length (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Juvenile as adult. Resembles P. solandri and P. arminjoniana, and similar to several other species as well, but white shafts on upperwing diagnostic. Race juana averages slightly larger (e.g. mean wing of male and female c. 299 mm and c. 300·5 mm, respectively, versus c. 290·5 mm and 289·5 mm for nominate), while pale morph is apparently very scarce in this population (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

Editor's Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place.

Recently found breeding on Round I (Mauritius), but status in Indian Ocean still unclear (3 Brooke, M. de L., Imber, M.J. and Rowe, G. (2000). Occurrence of two surface-breeding species of Pterodroma on Round Island, Indian Ocean. Ibis 142(1): 154–158. Close ). Has been reported as breeding also in S Atlantic (Trindade I, Brazil), but this occurrence questioned as no further evidence of presence in Atlantic exists (4 Imber, M.J. (2004). Kermadec petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) at Ilha da Trindade, South Atlantic Ocean and in the North Atlantic. Notornis 51(1): 33–40. Close , 5 Tove, M.H. (2005). Kermadec petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) in the Atlantic Ocean—a rebuttal. Notornis 52(1): 56–58. Close ).

Editor's Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the 'Subspecies' article above. In the future we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Marine and highly pelagic, rarely approaching land except at colonies. Breeds  on offshore islands, occupying low cliffs or slopes with some vegetation .

Probably disperses over much of tropical and subtropical Pacific, reaching at least c. 35º S (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ), with several unconfirmed records off Peru, the most recent involving three dark-morph individuals, off Arequipa (c. 15º S), in Dec 2013 (6 Ugarte, M., Angulo, F., Lane, D.F., Lloyd, H., O’Neill, J., Plenge, M., Schulenberg, T., Valqui, T., Walker, B. and Zepilli, R. (2014). Reporte del Comité de Registros de Aves Peruanas (CRAP) del periodo 27313. Bol. UNOP. 9(3): 45–54. Close ); occurs in N Pacific mainly Nov–Jan, recorded N to 42° N. There are two records in waters off Papua New Guinea (most recently in Jun 2000) (7 Tarburton, M. (2009). New birds and other interesting sightings from Melanesia. Muruk 9(2):56–91. Close ), the species is rare in mainland New Zealand waters (records Mar–Sept) (8 Taylor, G.A. (1997). Seabirds found dead on New Zealand beaches in 1995. Notornis. 44(4): 201–212. Close , 9 Buurman, D. and Shirihai, H. (2003). Kaikoura, New Zealand: the world’s no.1 site for seabirds and marine mammals. Birding World. 16(4): 161–172. Close ) and all of the available Australian records (Jan–Apr) are from New South Wales (10 Wood, K.A. (1990). Seasonal abundance and marine habitats of Procellaria fulmarine and gadfly petrels off central New South Wales. Notornis 37(2):81–105. Close ). Given recent discoveries that this species breeds on Round I, off Mauritius (11 Brooke, M. de L., M. J. Imber, and G. Rowe (2000). Occurrence of two surface-breeding species of Pterodroma on Round Island, Indian Ocean. Ibis 142(1):154–158. Close ), and apparently on Trindade (Brazil), in S Atlantic (12 Imber, M. J. (2004). Kermadec Petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) at Ilha da Trindade, South Atlantic Ocean and in the North Atlantic. Notornis 51(1):33–40. Close ) (see Status and Conservation), can clearly be expected at sea almost anywhere in Indian and Atlantic Oceans, with at least seven records of petrels from N Atlantic sometimes claimed to be this species (or in some cases P. arminjoniana), including one from England in Apr 1908 (13 Bourne, W. R. P. (1992). Debatable British and Irish seabirds. Birding World 5(10):382–390. Close , 14 Watola, G. (2004). Do Kermadec Petrels occur in British waters? Birding World. 17(6): 240–241. Close ), off the Azores in Jul 1997 and May 2006 (15 Imber, M.J. (2008). Kermadec petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) off the Azores, North Atlantic Ocean. Notornis. 55(2): 106–108. Close ), inland in Pennsylvania in Oct 1959, and off North Carolina, in May 1994, 2001 and 2002 (12 Imber, M. J. (2004). Kermadec Petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) at Ilha da Trindade, South Atlantic Ocean and in the North Atlantic. Notornis 51(1):33–40. Close ) (although none of these have been accepted by the relevant national records committees), while elsewhere in SW Indian Ocean, there are two (accepted) records of this species, perhaps involving the same bird, ashore on Cousin I, in Aug 2003 and Jun 2004 (16 Eikenaar, C. and Skerrett, A. (2006). First record of Kermadec Petrel Pterodroma neglecta for Seychelles. Bull. African Bird Club. 13(1): 88–90. Close ). The putative N Atlantic records, in particular (but also general presence in this ocean), have been both vigorously refuted (17 Tove, M.H. (2005). Kermadec petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) in the Atlantic Ocean – a rebuttal. Notornis. 52(1): 56–58. Close ) and defended (18 Imber, M.J. (2005). A response to M.Tove’s rebuttal of Imber (248484). Notornis. 52(1): 58–59. Close ), as well as being accorded more lukewarm support; the British specimen appears to be correctly identified, but sufficient doubts surround its provenance to prevent acceptance as a first record (19 Bourne, W.R.P. (2005). Kermadec petrels in the Atlantic Ocean. Notornis. 52(2): 121. Close ). Some populations may be fairly sedentary, especially adults, with, for example, birds present at colonies on Meyer Is (Kermadecs) year-round (20 Veitch, C.R. and Harper, G. (1998). Breeding season of Kermadec Petrels (Pterodroma neglecta neglecta) at Meyer Islands, Kermadec Group, New Zealand. Notornis. 45(1): 67–69. Close ).

Very little known. Squid and crustaceans recorded; the only detailed information, based on 27 stomach samples from mid-sized chicks on Ducie (Pitcairn Is), found squid (of 15 species, especially ommastrephids and histoteuthids) in 89% of samples, fish in 41%, crustacea in 37% and insects in 59%, as well as offal and coelenterates (21 Imber, M.J., Jolly, J.N. and Brooke, M. de L. (1995). Pelagic food of three sympatric gadfly petrels (Pterodroma spp.) breeding on the Pitcairn Islands. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 56(1–2): 233–240. Close , 1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Catches prey by dipping or surface-seizing; occasionally patters, and apparently frequently kleptoparasitizes other tubenoses, especially P. externa and Ardenna pacifica, which may have been persuaded to regurgitate their food because of the present species’ superficial resemblance to a skua (Catharacta) (22 Spear, L., and D. G. Ainley (1993). Kleptoparasitism by Kermadec Petrels, jaegers and skuas in the eastern tropical Pacific: evidence of mimicry by two species of Pterodroma. Auk 110(2):222–233. Close ). Rarely approaches boats (9 Buurman, D. and Shirihai, H. (2003). Kaikoura, New Zealand: the world’s no.1 site for seabirds and marine mammals. Birding World. 16(4): 161–172. Close ).

Distinctive vocalization is given in both flight and on ground, with an introductory “kek”, followed by a c. 3-second, ascending then descending “keraaooouw” and a terminal “wuk-oo-wuk-oo-wuk”, the latter syllables being repeated up to four times (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

Season variable, probably depending on locality; apparently separate populations breed in summer and winter in Kermadec Is, where first arrives at colonies up to 2·5 months prior to egg-laying (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ) and eggs recorded in most months of year (20 Veitch, C.R. and Harper, G. (1998). Breeding season of Kermadec Petrels (Pterodroma neglecta neglecta) at Meyer Islands, Kermadec Group, New Zealand. Notornis. 45(1): 67–69. Close ); elsewhere (e.g. Pitcairn Is) most birds breed during local summer (Nov–Jun) (23 Brooke, M. de L. (1995). The breeding biology of the gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. of the Pitcairn Islands: characteristics, population sizes and controls. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 56(1-2): 213–231. Close , 1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); on Easter I, nests with eggs found in Mar, young in Aug (24 Marín, M., and P. Cáceres (2010). Sobre las aves de Isla de Pascua. Boletín del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Chile) 59:75–95. Close ). Activity at breeding islands appears to be greatest between late afternoon and early evening (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Forms loose colonies; nests  on ledges, in scrapes, hollows or crevices, sometimes in open areas, lined with local vegetation, and nests can be just 2 m apart (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Single white egg  , mean size 65 mm × 46·4 mm (Henderson I) or 64·3 mm × 46·6 mm (Kermadec Is) (23 Brooke, M. de L. (1995). The breeding biology of the gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. of the Pitcairn Islands: characteristics, population sizes and controls. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 56(1-2): 213–231. Close , 1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); incubation 50–52 days, in shifts of c. 18–19 days (23 Brooke, M. de L. (1995). The breeding biology of the gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. of the Pitcairn Islands: characteristics, population sizes and controls. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 56(1-2): 213–231. Close , 1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ); chick  has sooty-grey to smoky-grey down  ; fledging  estimated at 110–130 days, but no information on growth rates of frequency of feeds (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Breeding success and longevity also unknown, although small chicks are frequently predated by crabs (Coenobita spp.) and Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) (23 Brooke, M. de L. (1995). The breeding biology of the gadfly petrels Pterodroma spp. of the Pitcairn Islands: characteristics, population sizes and controls. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 56(1-2): 213–231. Close , 1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). No evidence of assortative mating between different morphs (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ).

Not globally threatened (Least Concern). Considered Critically Endangered in Australia, where just two tiny colonies in Lord Howe and Norfolk groups (25 Baker, G. B., R. Gales, S. Hamilton, and V. Wilkinson (2002). Albatrosses and petrels in Australia: a review of their conservation and management. Emu 102(1):71–97. Close ). Total population previously estimated at 5000–10,000 pairs, but more recently at 50,000 pairs and 150,000–200,000 birds, with individual breeding station estimates as follows: < 100 pairs at Lord Howe (where now confined to Balls Pyramid) and 10–100 pairs on Phillip I (26 Priddel, D., N. Carlile, O. Evans, B. Evans, and H. McCoy (2010). A review of the seabirds of Phillip Island in the Norfolk Island group. Notornis 57:113–127. Close ), off Norfolk I (where discovered in 1986, and probably bred formerly also on latter island) (27 Tennyson, A.J.D., Scofield, R.P. and Bell, B.D. (2003). Confirmation of Kermadec petrels breeding on the southern Kermadec Islands. Notornis. 50(4): 236–237. Close ); in Kermadecs, mainly on Meyer Is (6000 pairs), Macauley I (< 50 pairs), Haszard I (27 Tennyson, A.J.D., Scofield, R.P. and Bell, B.D. (2003). Confirmation of Kermadec petrels breeding on the southern Kermadec Islands. Notornis. 50(4): 236–237. Close ), Cheeseman and Curtis Is (6000–10,000 pairs); < 1000 pairs on Rapa in Austral Is; Tuamotu Is (several hundred pairs); in Pitcarin group, c. 10,000 pairs on Henderson I (28 Brooke, M. de L. (2010). Important Bird Areas: Henderson Island. British Birds. 103(8): 428-444. Close ), 30,000 pairs on Ducie and < 100 pairs on Oeno (1990/91); eight nests found also on Pitcairn I in 2015, all of them failing due to introduced predators (29 Schofield, A. and Bond, A.L. (2016). Kermadec Petrels Pterodroma neglecta on Pitcairn Island suffer breeding failure due to introduced predators. Marine Ornithology. 44: 225–228. Close ); perhaps only small numbers breed on Easter I (although “large” numbers of birds observed in Jun 2009) (24 Marín, M., and P. Cáceres (2010). Sobre las aves de Isla de Pascua. Boletín del Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (Chile) 59:75–95. Close ); and < 200 pairs in Juan Fernández archipelago (1 Brooke, M. (2004). Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK. Close ). Recently (1986) discovered (race unknown, but polymorphic) breeding on Round I, off Mauritius (SW Indian Ocean), where outnumbered by P. heraldica; total population unknown, but present species appears to comprise at most c. 28% (and perhaps < 10%) of cumulative total of these two petrels (11 Brooke, M. de L., M. J. Imber, and G. Rowe (2000). Occurrence of two surface-breeding species of Pterodroma on Round Island, Indian Ocean. Ibis 142(1):154–158. Close ), which are apparently also interbreeding (30 Brown, R.M., Nichols, R.A., Faulkes, C.G., Jones, C.G., Bugoni, L., Tatayah, V., Gottelli, D. and Jordan, W.C. (2010). Range expansion and hybridization in Round Island petrels (Pterodroma spp.): evidence from microsatellite genotypes. Molecular Ecology. 19: 3157-3170. Close , 31 Brown, R.M., Jordan, W.C., Faulkes, C.G., Jones, C.G., Bugoni, L., Tatayah, V., Palma, R.L. and Nichols, R.A. (2011). Phylogenetic relationships in Pterodroma petrels are obscured by recent secondary contact and hybridization. PLOS One. 6(5): e20350. Close ). Even more recently, has also been suggested that this species breeds on Trindade (Brazil) in S Atlantic (race again unknown, but all birds dark morph) (12 Imber, M. J. (2004). Kermadec Petrels (Pterodroma neglecta) at Ilha da Trindade, South Atlantic Ocean and in the North Atlantic. Notornis 51(1):33–40. Close ). Known to suffer heavy predation by rats and cats, e.g. c. 500,000 birds on Raoul I (Kermadecs) in 1908 reduced now to near extinction by 1966 (20 Veitch, C.R. and Harper, G. (1998). Breeding season of Kermadec Petrels (Pterodroma neglecta neglecta) at Meyer Islands, Kermadec Group, New Zealand. Notornis. 45(1): 67–69. Close ), and breeding success reduced to virtually nil on Henderson I; especially vulnerable due to habit of breeding in open or semi open sites; extirpated from several islands with abundant mammalian predators, or displaced to offshore islets. Still locally exploited for food and bait; eggs collected, especially in E part of range, e.g. Easter I. Conservation priorities include campaigns to eradicate all introduced fauna from former and present breeding grounds, and programme of environmental education.