Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p28
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 28/152)
Character Range: 117503–120622

Hoyo et al. 1992). The Australian population is poorly known owing to the numerous breeding sites and protracted and asynchronous breeding season making an accurate census difficult. The largest population breeds on Christmas Island (6,000–12,000 pairs; subspecies fulvus) and is believed to be in decline with additional breeding locations on Cocos (Keeling) Group and islands of Ashmore Reef Marine Park (subspecies lepturus).

  Conservation Concerns and Actions
Cyclones and tropical storms have been known to cause high levels of mortality of both chicks and brooding adults. Habitat affected by the storms may also render nesting sites temporarily unusable. The species readily adapts to artificial nesting sites and studies show that it can increase nesting success when compared to natural nests. Invasive species, particular rats and cats, have caused significant losses in White-tailed Tropicbird colonies. Invasive plants can render nest sites unsuitable. Tropicbirds are vulnerable to oil pollution at sea.

  Recommended Management Actions
             Determine White-tailed Tropicbird breeding population numbers and trends

             Trial artificial nesting shelters to improve nesting success in disturbed habitats

             Control, or eradicate invasive species at breeding localities

         Implement best practice quarantine measures at breeding colonies to reduce the risk of any invasive species (re)establishing on islands

56 Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds
Species profiles

Matsudaira's Storm-petrel (Hydrobates matsudairae)

Life History and Distribution
The Matsudaira's Storm-petrel (Hyrobates matsudairae) is a dark-brown storm-petrel with long angular wings. Tail is long and forked. The species occupies a small
breeding range in southern Japan, probably only two islands. It is known to breed on Minami-Iwo-Jima, and perhaps on Kita-Iwo-Jima. It has also been recorded around Ogasawara Islands and it is assumed to breed there but required confirmation. The species is a colonial breeder, nesting in burrows on high ground. Breeding is thought to begin in January, with most young fledging by June. After the breeding season, birds move south to the Timor Sea, north-west Australia and into the northern Indian Ocean. During the non-breeding season Matsudaira's Storm-petrel remains in oceanic waters far from the coast.

Population Estimates and Trends
No quantitative data are available on the species population, although it is reported to be locally common in its breeding range and its abundance in the Indian Ocean has led to the suggestion that the global population is at least 20,000 individuals. The population trend is difficult to determine because of uncertainty over the main threats to the species. The species has been assessed as globally vulnerable under IUCN criteria on the basis that it occupies a small range when breeding and is susceptible to stochastic events and human impacts.

Conservation Concerns and Actions
Black Rats (Rattus rattus) became established on Kita-Iwo-Jima apparently following the Second World War and are