Atlantic petrel

The Atlantic petrel (Pterodroma incerta) is a gadfly petrel endemic to the South Atlantic Ocean, breeding in large colonies on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. It ranges at sea from Brazil to Namibia, primarily west of its breeding islands along the subtropical convergence. Adults are about 43 cm long, stocky, dark-colored with a white belly, and can live up to 15 years. Despite an estimated global population of 5 million birds, the species is classified as endangered by the IUCN due to significant threats. It has historically declined from exploitation for food, and studies indicate that only about 25% of eggs survive. Breeding primarily occurs on Gough Island, where steep cliffs make other locations inaccessible. The petrels feed mainly on squid (87% of their diet in some studies), as well as lanternfishes, crustaceans, and fish. They nest in burrows dug into peaty soils in fern-bush vegetation at elevations between 50 and 300 meters above sea level. Key threats include introduced house mice, which prey on chicks, particularly on Gough Island where the mice have evolved to be larger. Hurricanes also pose a threat to breeding populations and food availability, such as squid. Conservation efforts began in the 1970s with education programs on Tristan da Cunha, while Gough Island is a nature reserve with a field station monitoring the population. Research focuses on reducing mouse predation and understanding petrel behavior. Proposed actions include eradicating mice, preventing invasive species introduction, and demographic mapping to better understand population trends. The IUCN uplisted ...