Menu

Volume 53, No. 2

Volumes > 38 (2010-->)

Volumes 28-37 (2000-09)

Volumes 18-27 (1990-99)

Volumes 5-17 (1978-89) a.k.a 'Cormorant'

Search by author or title:

Notes on the breeding population of the Polynesian Storm Petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa on Motu Motiro Hiva (Salas y Gómez Island), eastern South Pacific.


Authors

MATÍAS PORTFLITT-TORO1*, JUAN SERRATOSA2, K. DAVID HYRENBACH3, & GUILLERMO LUNA-JORQUERA1

1Center of Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI), Facultad de Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile *(esmoi@ucn.cl)
2IDENER.IA, Chemistry Division, 41300, Sevilla, Spain
3Hawai‘i Pacific University, Marine Science Programs at Oceanic Institute, Waimānalo, Hawai‘i, USA

Citation

Portflitt-Toro, M., Serratosa, J., Hyrenbach, K. D., & Luna-Jorquera, G. (2025). Notes on the breeding population of the Polynesian Storm Petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa on Motu Motiro Hiva (Salas y Gómez Island), eastern South Pacific. Marine Ornithology 53(2), 211-215
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.53.2.1649

Received 14 November 2024, accepted 10 December 2024

Date Published: 2025/10/15
Date Online: 2025/09/21
Download PDF
Key words: endangered species, Polynesian Storm Petrel, plastic ingestion, Salas y Gómez Island, Southeast Pacific

Abstract

The Polynesian Storm Petrel is an endangered seabird found in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Despite its critical conservation status, little is known about its population, its breeding biology, and the threats facing it. We provide information about its reproductive status, nesting areas, and plastic ingestion on the remote island of Motu Motiro Hiva. In seven visits between 2012 and 2024, we found breeding activity to occur from August to November, with nesting cavities located primarily on the rocky areas of the east and southeast sectors of the island. We found an extremely high incidence of plastic ingestion in the 15 stomachs collected (100%). Our study provides relevant information on the reproductive biology of this species in an active colony and shows an abundance of marine debris at the site, indicating an urgent need to stop the entry of this debris into the ocean.

References


BirdLife International. (2018). Species factsheet: Polynesian Storm-petrel Nesofregetta fuliginosa. Retrieved July 27, 2024, from https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/polynesian-storm-petrel-nesofregetta-fuliginosa

Brooke, M. de L. (2004). Albatrosses and petrels across the world. Oxford University Press.

Carboneras, C., Jutglar, F., & Kirwan, G. M. (2020). Polynesian Storm-Petrel (Nesofregetta fuliginosa), version 1.0. In J. del Hoyo, A. Elliott, J. Sargatal, D. A. Christie & E. de Juana (Eds.), Birds of the World. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.pospet1.01

Charlton-Howard, H. S., Bond, A. L., Rivers-Auty, J., & Lavers, J. L. (2023). ‘Plasticosis': Characterising macro- and microplastic-associated fibrosis in seabird tissues. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 450, 131090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131090

Eriksen, M., Cowger, W., Erdle, L. M., Coffin, S., Villarrubia-Gómez, P., Moore, C. J., Carpenter, E. J., Day, R. H., Thiel, M., & Wilcox, C. (2023). A growing plastic smog, now estimated to be over 170 trillion plastic particles afloat in the world's oceans—Urgent solutions required. PLOS One, 18(3), e0281596. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0281596

Flores, M. A., Schlatter, R. P., & Hucke-Gaete, R. (2014). Seabirds of Easter Island, Salas y Gómez Island, and Desventuradas Islands, southeastern Pacific Ocean. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research, 42(4), 752-759. https://doi.org/10.3856/vol42-issue4-fulltext-6

Gaymer, C. F., Wagner, D., Álvarez-Varas, R., Boteler, B., Bravo, L., Brooks, C. M., Chavez-Molina, V., Currie, D., Delgado, J., Dewitte, B., Easton, E. E., Friedlander, A. M., Gallardo, M. A., Gianni, M., Gjerde, K., Gorny, M., Hormazábal, S., Hucke-Gaete, R., Luna-Jorquera, G., . . . Véliz, D. (2025). Research advances and conservation needs for the protection of the Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges: A natural and cultural heritage hotspot in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. Marine Policy, 171, 106453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106453

Harrison, P., & Jehl, J. R., Jr. (1988). Notes on the seabirds of Sala y Gomez. The Condor, 90(1), 259-261.

Hidalgo-Ruz, V., Luna-Jorquera, G., Eriksen, M., Frick, H., Miranda-Urbina, D., Portflitt-Toro, M., Rivadeneira, M. M., Robertson, C. J. R., Scofield, R. P., Serratosa, J., Suazo, C. G., & Thiel, M. (2021). Factors (type, colour, density, and shape) determining the removal of marine plastic debris by seabirds from the South Pacific Ocean: Is there a pattern? Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 31(2), 389-407. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3453

Kim, M., Hong, M. J., Nam, K. B., Kim, Y. M., Park, C. U., & Kwon, Y. (2023). Marine debris ingestion by adults and fledglings of Swinhoe's storm petrels in the Republic of Korea. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 194(Part A), 115330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115330

Lavers, J. L., Bond, A. L., & Hutton, I. (2014). Plastic ingestion by Flesh-footed Shearwaters (Puffinus carneipes): Implications for fledgling body condition and the accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals. Environmental Pollution, 187, 124-129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2013.12.020

Lazo, P. (2011). Censo y monitoreo de avifauna en el Parque Nacional Rapa Nui Año 2011 (Informe final). Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF), Ministerio de Agricultura, Santiago, Chile.

Luna-Jorquera, G., Thiel, M., Portflitt‐Toro, M., & Dewitte, B. (2019). Marine protected areas invaded by floating anthropogenic litter: An example from the South Pacific. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 29(S2), 245-259. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.3095

Miranda-Urbina, D., Thiel, M., & Luna-Jorquera, G. (2015). Litter and seabirds found across a longitudinal gradient in the South Pacific Ocean. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 96(1-2), 235-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.05.021

Norris Crespo, L., Park, F., Ika Chavez, K., Barrazueta, C., Ilabaca, B., Quezada, G., & Echeverría, H. (2024). Addressing the disproportionate effects of plastic pollution in Island Territories: Insights from the Pacific Islands for an ambitious, legally binding Global Plastics Treaty. [Policy Brief]. Pacific Islands Working Groups. https://galapagosconservation.org.uk/global-plastics-treaty/inc-5-policy-brief-pacific-islands/

Onley, D., & Scofield, P. (2007). Albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters of the world. Bloomsbury Publishing, Christopher Helm.

Pierce, R., VanderWerf, E., Cranwell, S., Taabu, K., Ghestemme, T., & Withers, T. (2020). A conservation action plan for two endangered seabirds—Phoenix Petrel (Pterodroma alba) and Polynesian Storm-petrel (Nesofregetta fuliginosa), 2020-2025. Eco Oceania Pty Ltd. http://www.raypiercepacific.com/uploads/9/7/5/8/97589856/phpe_and_psp-action_plan2020.pdf

Roman, L., Bell, E., Wilcox, C., Hardesty, B. D., & Hindell, M. (2019). Ecological drivers of marine debris ingestion in Procellariiform seabirds. Scientific Reports, 9, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-37324-w

Schlatter, R. P. (1984). The status and conservation of seabirds in Chile. In J. Croxall, P. Evans, & R. Schreiber (Eds.), Status and Conservation of the World's Seabirds (Technical Publication No. 2, pp. 261-270). International Council for Bird Preservation.

Senko, J. F., Nelms, S. E., Reavis, J. L., Witherington, B., Godley, B. J., & Wallace, B. P. (2020). Understanding individual and population-level effects of plastic pollution on marine megafauna. Endangered Species Research, 43, 234-252. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01064

Spear, L. B., Ainley, D. G., & Ribic, C. A. (1995). Incidence of plastic in seabirds from the tropical Pacific, 1984-1991: Relation with distribution of species, sex, age, season, year and body weight. Marine Environmental Research, 40(2), 123-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/0141-1136(94)00140-K

Spear, L. B., & Ainley, D. G. (2007). Storm-petrels of the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Species assembly and diversity along marine habitat gradients. Ornithological Monographs, 62, 1-77.

Thibault, J.-C., & Cibois, A. (2017). Birds of Eastern Polynesia: A Biogeographical Atlas. Lynx Edicions.

Thiel, M., Luna-Jorquera, G., Álvarez-Varas, R., Gallardo, C., Hinojosa, I. A., Luna, N., Miranda-Urbina, D., Morales, N., Ory, N., Pacheco, A. S., Portflitt-Toro, M., & Zavalaga, C. (2018). Impacts of marine plastic pollution from continental coasts to subtropical gyres—Fish, seabirds, and other vertebrates in the SE Pacific. Frontiers in Marine Science, 5, 238. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00238

van Franeker, J. A. (2004). Save the North Sea Fulmar-Litter-EcoQO manual part 1: Collection and dissection procedures (Alterra-Rapport 672). Alterra. https://edepot.wur.nl/40451

van Gennip, S. J., Dewitte, B., Garçon, V., Thiel, M., Popova, E., Drillet, Y., Ramos, M., Yannicelli, B., Bravo, L., Ory, N., Luna-Jorquera, G., & Gaymer, C. F. (2019). In search for the sources of plastic marine litter that contaminates the Easter Island Ecoregion. Scientific Reports, 9, Article 19662. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56012-x

Vilina, Y. A., & Gazitua, F. J. (1999). The birds of Sala y Gomez Island, Chile. Waterbirds, 22(3), 459-462. https://doi.org/10.2307/1522124

Wagner, D., van der Meer, L., Gorny, M., Sellanes, J., Gaymer, C. F., Soto, E. H., Easton, E. E., Friedlander, A. M., Lindsay, D. J., Molodtsova, T. N., Boteler, B., Durussel, C., Gjerde, K. M., Currie, D., Gianni, M., Brooks, C. M., Shiple, M. J., Wilhelm, T. A., Quesada, M., . . . Morgan, L. E. (2021). The Salas y Gómez and Nazca ridges: A review of the importance, opportunities and challenges for protecting a global diversity hotspot on the high seas. Marine Policy, 126, Article 104377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.104377

Youngren, S. M., Rapp, D. C., & Hyrenbach, K. D. (2018). Plastic ingestion by Tristram's Storm-petrel (Oceanodroma tristrami) chicks from French frigate shoals, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 128, 369-378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.01.053

Search by author or title:

Browse previous volumes:

Volumes > 38 (2010-->)

Volumes 28-37 (2000-09)

Volumes 18-27 (1990-99)

Volumes 5-17 (1978-89) a.k.a 'Cormorant'