Translocations of eight species of burrow-nesting seabirds (genera Pterodroma, Pelecanoides, Pachyptila and Puffinus: family Procellariidae)

Published source details Miskelly C.M., Taylor G.A., Gummer H. & Williams R. (2009) Translocations of eight species of burrow-nesting seabirds (genera Pterodroma, Pelecanoides, Pachyptila and Puffinus: family Procellariidae). Biological Conservation, 142, 1965-1980.
Share Tweet Email

Summary

Provide artificial nesting sites for burrow-nesting seabirds

A review of petrel translocation projects in 1997–2008 around New Zealand (Miskelly et al. 2009) reported that 86% of chicks translocated into artificial burrows fledged. In total, 1,791 chicks of eight petrel species were translocated by the authors. Of these, 1,546 fledged. Species fledging rates ranged from 62% (common diving petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix) to 100% (Chatham Island taiko Pterodroma magentae and fairy prion Pachyptila turtur). For all eight species, translocated chicks fed on pureed tinned herring Clupea harengus were at least as heavy as parent-fed chicks upon fledging (see original paper for details). Translocations involved moving good-condition chicks from their natal burrows to artificial burrows ≤240 km away, usually within the same day. Burrow designs slightly differed between islands, but all were dug into the ground or (partially) buried and had an 11-cm-diameter plastic entrance pipe. All chicks were hand-fed until fledging: usually on fish diets but sometimes with pet food. The review included the translocations in (Miskelly & Taylor 2004) and (Gummer et al. 2015).

Translocate birds to (re-)establish populations or increase genetic variation

A review of petrel translocation projects in 1997–2008 around New Zealand (Miskelly et al. 2009) reported that 86% of all translocated chicks fledged, and that five of eight species began breeding at their translocation site. Of 1,791 chicks (eight species) translocated by the authors, 1,546 fledged. Species fledging rates ranged from 62% (common diving petrel Pelecanoides urinatrix) to 100% (Chatham Island taiko Pterodroma magentae and fairy prion Pachyptila turtur). At least 68 individuals (six species) returned to their translocation site as adults. Five species began breeding. For all eight species, translocated chicks (hand-fed pureed tinned herring Clupea harengus) were at least as heavy as parent-fed chicks upon fledging (see original paper for details). Good-condition chicks were taken from their burrows and moved to artificial burrows ≤240 km away, usually within the same day. Chicks were hand-fed until fledging, usually on fish diets but sometimes with pet food. In some translocation sites, speakers played calls of the translocated species. The review included the translocations in (Miskelly & Taylor 2004) and (Gummer et al. 2015).