Pycroft's Petrel

The Pycroft's petrel, a small seabird of the Procellariidae family, is a marvel of the oceanic avian world. With a length of 26 cm and a weight ranging from 112 to 198 grams, it is a petite creature. Its plumage is a study in contrasts: the upperparts are a sleek grey adorned with a darker M-shaped pattern, while the underparts and forehead gleam in pure white. A subtle grey band graces its breast, and around its eye lies a dark grey patch, adding to its distinctive appearance.

Identification Tips

When attempting to identify Pycroft's petrel, look for its grey and white plumage, the M pattern on its back, and the faint grey band across the breast. The dark grey eye patch is also a key feature to distinguish it from similar species.

Habitat

Pycroft's petrel favors the temperate forests with soft soils found on offshore islands for its breeding grounds. These environments provide the ideal conditions for nesting and raising their young.

Distribution

This petrel is a New Zealander through and through, breeding exclusively on 11 islands off the North Island. Notable breeding colonies can be found on Stephenson Island, the Poor Knights Islands, Hen and Chickens Islands, and Mercury Islands. Historically, it also bred on Norfolk Island and Lord Howe Island, but it has since vanished from these locales.

Breeding

The breeding season for Pycroft's petrel commences in October as they return to their colonies. The laying of eggs is a synchronized event, occurring between 21 November and 10 December. Each pair lays a single egg within a burrow, which ranges from 30 to 130 cm in length and is lined with leaves for comfort. Both parents share the incubation duties, with the male typically taking the first shift of 10-14 days. After 45 days, the egg hatches, and the chick will leave the nest approximately 80 days later, enduring the last week without being fed by the parents.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of Pycroft's petrel is not well-documented, but it is known to include squid and crustaceans. During the non-breeding season, it is believed to forage in the Central Pacific, with sightings as far as Japan, the United States, and various Pacific islands.

Threats

The survival of Pycroft's petrel chicks and eggs is jeopardized by predation from tuatara. Additionally, introduced rats pose a significant threat, preying on the eggs and nestlings within the breeding colonies.

Conservation status

Pycroft's petrel is currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Conservation efforts, particularly the removal of invasive rats from breeding islands, have led to a positive trend in the species' population numbers, indicating a hopeful trajectory for its future.