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-Toro, Center of Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI)Follow
Juan Serratosa, IDENER.IA
K. David Hyrenbach, Hawai‘i Pacific University
Guillermo Luna-Jorquera, Center of Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI)

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.

DOI

http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.53.2.1649

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Recommended Citation

Portflitt-Toro, Matías; Serratosa, Juan; Hyrenbach, K. David; and Luna-Jorquera, Guillermo (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: Vol. 53 : Iss. 2 , Article 5.
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.53.2.1649
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/marine_ornithology/vol53/iss2/5