| Atlantic Petrel | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Procellariiformes |
| Family: | Procellariidae |
| Genus: | Pterodroma |
| Species: | P. incerta |
| Binomial name | |
| Pterodroma incerta (Schlegel, 1863) |
|
The Atlantic Petrel (Pterodroma incerta) is a gadfly petrel endemic to the South Atlantic Ocean. It breeds in enormous colonies on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island, and ranges at sea from Brazil to Namibia, with most records at sea being to the west of the breeding islands, and along the subtropical convergence.
The species feeds mostly on squid, which comprises 87% of its diet in some studies; it will also feed on lanternfishes (Myctophidae) as they ascend to the surface at night, as well as on crustaceans.
Although the species exists in large numbers, the world population being estimated at around 5 million birds, the species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. The species is restricted to just two breeding islands and has declined historically due to exploitation for food, and is currently thought to be threatened by introduced House Mice, which attack chicks leading to low breeding success.
It was formerly classified as a Vulnerable species by the IUCN[1]. But new research has demonstrated the severe impact of predation by mice. Consequently, it is uplisted to Endangered status in 2008[2].