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Nesofregetta fuliginosaPolynesian storm petrel(Also: Polynesian storm-petrel)

By Tanya Dewey

Geographic Range

Polynesian storm petrels are found throughout much of the tropical Pacific, from Vanuatu in the west to Sala y Gomez in the east. Not much is known about their distribution and behavior outside of the breeding season, but they are thought to remain near their breeding islands, possibly concentrating in the region of the equatorial current (between 10 degrees north and south). (Brooke, 2004)

Habitat

Polynesian storm petrels are found in tropical oceanic waters and on small coral or volcanic islands where they breed. They dig burrows on nesting islands, either among vegetation or in rock crevices. They may forage mainly in the waters near islands where they breed, but little is known of their habits. Other sources suggest they are mainly pelagic, except when breeding. (Brooke, 2004; del Hoyo, et al., 1992)

Physical Description

Polynesian storm petrels are about 24 to 26 cm in length and exhibit a wide range of color variation. Color morphs range from light to dark and the frequency of morphs varies geographically. Some populations have only light morphs, some only dark, and some have various morphs. They are large petrels, with broad, rounded wings and forked tails. The wings do not have marked curvature of the leading or trailing edges, which is distinctive in this species. The most common plumage pattern is with a brown to black dorsal parts, from the head to the tail, with a white rump band and bar dorsally across the wings. The throat is white, with a brown chest band and the breast and belly are white. The darkest morphs are uniformly sooty-brown, being similar in appearance to Tristram's storm petrels (Oceanodroma tristrami) but larger. Intermediate morphs have light flecking on their dark plumage. Polynesian storm petrels have a distinctive way of taking flight: they kick off from the ocean, glide for about 30 seconds, and then kick off again before finally lifting off. Wings are from 175 to 219 mm, bills are from 14.5 to 19 mm, the tail is from 83 to 122.5 mm, and mass is from 56 to 86 g. They have narrow webs on their feet. There are no described subspecies and no sexual dimorphism is reported, although geographic and sexual variation in body measurements is possible. (Brooke, 2004; del Hoyo, et al., 1992)

  • Sexual Dimorphism
  • sexes alike
  • Range mass
    56 to 86 g
    1.97 to 3.03 oz
  • Range length
    24 to 26 cm
    9.45 to 10.24 in

Reproduction

Little is known about mating in Polynesian storm petrels. (Brooke, 2004)

Little is known about breeding in Polynesian storm petrels. They nest in colonies on islands throughout their range. Nests are in burrows under vegetation or in rocky crevices. Nests are occasionally burrowed into sandy soil, but these are fragile and prone to collapse. Egg-laying seems to occur throughout the year, with some concentration of egg-laying from August to December on Kiritimati and July to September in the Marquesas. On islands closer to the equator, breeding seems to occur throughout the year, but on islands further south, breeding may be seasonal. Females lay a single egg. Time to incubation is estimated at about 50 days and time to fledging at about 60 days. (Brooke, 2004)

  • Breeding interval
    Breeding intervals are unknown.
  • Breeding season
    Breeding may occur throughout the year, or be more seasonal, concentrating in the southern hemisphere spring (August to December).
  • Range eggs per season
    1 to 1
  • Average time to hatching
    50 days
  • Average fledging age
    60 days

Polynesian storm petrel males and females both protect and feed their young to independence. However, little is known of the details of parental investment. Young are protected in nest burrows until they fledge. (del Hoyo, et al., 1992)

  • Parental Investment
  • altricial
  • pre-fertilization
    • provisioning
    • protecting
      • female
  • pre-hatching/birth
    • provisioning
      • female
    • protecting
      • male
      • female
  • pre-weaning/fledging
    • provisioning
      • male
      • female
    • protecting
      • male
      • female

Lifespan/Longevity

Lifespan in Polynesian storm petrels is not known.

Behavior

Little is known about the life history of Polynesian storm petrels. They breed in colonial nesting colonies on coral or volcanic islands. Most individuals arrive at breeding colonies at night but some arrive during the day as well. This indicates that they may forage mainly during the day and return to burrows at night to rest. They are thought to be sedentary, mainly staying in the area of their breeding colony, but little is known of their movements. (Brooke, 2004)

Home Range

Home range sizes in Polynesian storm petrels are not known.

Communication and Perception

Polynesian storm petrels produce soft "grr" calls, but the context of these calls has not been well-documented. (Brooke, 2004)

Food Habits

Little is known about the diet of Polynesian storm petrels. Like other storm petrels, they probably eat a variety of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans. They forage mainly while in flight, grabbing prey from the surface or making brief, shallow dives. (Brooke, 2004; del Hoyo, et al., 1992)

  • Animal Foods
  • fish
  • mollusks
  • aquatic crustaceans

Predation

Polynesian storm petrels have been extensively preyed on at breeding colonies by non-native mammalian predators, including domestic cats (Felis catus), ship rats (g.Rattus rattus), and house mice (Mus musculus), all of which take eggs, hatchlings, and fledglings. Native predators have not been reported, but are likely to include gulls and skuas. Polynesian storm petrels seem to visit breeding colonies mainly at night, indicating that they try to avoid avian predators by minimizing their exposure. (BirdLife International, 2009; Brooke, 2004)

Ecosystem Roles

Polynesian storm petrels are predators of fish, cephalopods, and crustaceans in the areas they live. Otherwise, almost nothing is known of their ecosystem role. They are rare, so their impacts are probably small at the ecosystem level throughout most of their range.

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Polynesian storm petrels are important, although rare, members of native, tropical Pacific environments. They may attract ecotourism interest.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

There are no adverse effects of Polynesian storm petrels on humans. (Brooke, 2004)

Conservation Status

Polynesian storm petrels are considered vulnerable by the IUCN because of the local extinction of many breeding populations throughout their range in the last 50 years. These localized extinctions are primarily the result of decimation by introduced predators on their breeding islands. However, surveys have not been comprehensive and healthy breeding populations may still exist. Populations are estimated at a maximum of 10,000 individuals, but may be smaller. Polynesian storm petrel populations have become extinct in the Cook Islands, Tahiti, Henderson Island, and possibly Fiji. Breeding populations number only in the 10's in New Caledonia, the smaller Society Islands, Samoa, and the Australs and Marquesas Islands. Larger populations are supported on the Line Islands, Phoenix Islands, Gambiers Islands, and Sala y Gomez. Cat and rat eradication programs on some islands have had mixed success and are considered essential to the long-term survival of this species. Reintroduction efforts at Jarvis Island National Wildlife Refuge (near Kiritimati) have had limited success. (BirdLife International, 2009; Brooke, 2004)

Other Comments

Nesofregetta fuliginosa is also known by the common names white-throated storm petrels and Samoan storm petrels. This species was previously recognized as Procellaria fuliginosa. (Brooke, 2004; del Hoyo, et al., 1992)

Contributors

Tanya Dewey (author), Animal Diversity Web.

Glossary

Pacific Ocean

body of water between the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), Australia, Asia, and the western hemisphere. This is the world's largest ocean, covering about 28% of the world's surface.

World Map

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

altricial

young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

carnivore

an animal that mainly eats meat

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

coastal

the nearshore aquatic habitats near a coast, or shoreline.

diurnal
  1. active during the day, 2. lasting for one day.
endothermic

animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.

iteroparous

offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).

molluscivore

eats mollusks, members of Phylum Mollusca

motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

oviparous

reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.

pelagic

An aquatic biome consisting of the open ocean, far from land, does not include sea bottom (benthic zone).

piscivore

an animal that mainly eats fish

saltwater or marine

mainly lives in oceans, seas, or other bodies of salt water.

seasonal breeding

breeding is confined to a particular season

sedentary

remains in the same area

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

social

associates with others of its species; forms social groups.

tactile

uses touch to communicate

tropical

the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.

visual

uses sight to communicate

year-round breeding

breeding takes place throughout the year

References

BirdLife International, 2009. "Species factsheet: Nesofregetta fuliginosa" (On-line). BirdLife International. Accessed July 20, 2009 at http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3975&m=0.

Brooke, M. 2004. Albatrosses and petrels across the world. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, J. Sargatal. 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume I. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions.

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