Spectacled petrel

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Spectacled petrel
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
Genus: Procellaria
Species:
P. conspicillata
Binomial name
Procellaria conspicillata
Gould, 1844
Synonyms

Procellaria aequinoctialis conspicillata

The spectacled petrel (Procellaria conspicillata) is a rare seabird that nests only on the high western plateau of Inaccessible Island in the South Atlantic Tristan da Cunha group. It is one of the largest petrels that nests in burrows. This species was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the white-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis).

Taxonomy

The spectacled petrel was

monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.[6]

The

triglycerides that is stored in the proventriculus. This can be sprayed out of their mouths as a defence against predators and as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights.[7] Finally, they also have a salt gland that is situated above the nasal passage and helps desalinate their bodies, due to the high amount of ocean water that they imbibe. It excretes a high saline solution from their nose.[8]

The spectacled petrel was formerly often considered as a subspecies of the

molecular phylogenetic study published in 2009 that found significant differences in the DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene.[12]

Description

The spectacled petrel is a large, approximately 55 cm (22 in) in length, predominately black petrel. It does have white bands around its eyes, and its bill is yellow. Their lifespan averages 26.4 years.[13]

Distribution and habitat

The spectacled petrel is

Amsterdam Island in the south Indian Ocean.[10]

Behavior

Feeding

The spectacled petrel eats

crustaceans.[13]

Breeding

Spectacled petrels breed in burrows on the western plateau of Inaccessible Island. The birds dig the burrows in the banks of streams and in boggy areas. The clutch is a single white egg with an average size of 81 mm × 55 mm (3.2 in × 2.2 in) and a weight of 130 g (4.6 oz).[10]

Conservation

The species was classified as

IUCN in 2000.[1] A subsequent study gave cautious hope for a continuing recovery of the population from an all-time low of merely some dozens of pairs in the 1930s.[14] Indeed, it appears as if the species' numbers have been underestimated in more recent years as an accurate census is difficult due to the rugged terrain of its island home. Consequently, the conservation status of this species was downgraded to vulnerable in the 2007 IUCN Red List.[13] The 2009 assessment maintained their status at vulnerable.[13]
This petrel has an occurrence range of 9,670,000 km2 (3,730,000 sq mi) and a population estimated at between 31,000 and 45,000. Their population is trending up at between 1% and 9% over 60 years, and possibly 45% over the last five years.[13]

The spectacled petrel is threatened by interactions with longline fisheries which kills hundreds of birds every year as they become entangled in the fishing lines and drown.[13]

The spectacled petrel is listed on CMS Appendix II and ACAP Annex 1. A census was conducted in 2004, and Inaccessible Island is a World Heritage Site, with restricted access. To help the species, other conservation measures have been proposed. Conducting surveys of the breeding population as an ongoing process. Pushing for adoption of the best-practice mitigation measures in fisheries within this bird's range, utilizing organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, and International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. Restricting access to prevent colonization of introduced species. Finally, looking for other breeding locations.[13]

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22728437A132659002.en
    . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ Gould, John (1844). "On the family Procellaridae with descriptions of ten new species". The Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 13 (1): 360–368 [362].
  3. ^ Linnaeus, Carl (1758). Systema Naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis (in Latin). Vol. 1 (10th ed.). Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 131.
  4. ISBN 978-1-4081-2501-4
    .
  5. ^ Gotch, A. T. (1995)
  6. ^
    Rasmussen, Pamela, eds. (July 2021). "Petrels, albatrosses"
    . IOC World Bird List Version 11.2. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  7. ^ Double, M. C. (2003)
  8. ^ Ehrlich, Paul R. (1988)
  9. ^ Mayr, Ernst; Cottrell, G. William, eds. (1979). Check-List of Birds of the World. Vol. 1 (2nd ed.). Cambridge, Massachusetts: Museum of Comparative Zoology. p. 86.
  10. ^
    doi:10.1017/S0959270900001891
    .
  11. ISBN 978-0-9568611-0-8
    .
  12. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2009.04.004
    .
  13. ^ a b c d e f g BirdLife International (2009)
  14. ^
    doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.03.004
    .

Sources
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