Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775:reg:18:p58
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00775
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 18 (pt 58/152)
Character Range: 200531–203629

(Pterodroma lessonii) is a large, solidly built all grey-white petrel. At sea the prominent black patch underscoring eye on an otherwise largely white head is diagnostic. The White-headed Petrel is oceanic, rarely approaching land except near colonies, but has been recorded inshore during stormy weather. This species has a circumpolar range and is found throughout the Southern Ocean. It breeds on Macquarie Island, the Auckland Islands and Antipodes Islands (New Zealand), Crozet and Kerguelen Islands (French Southern Territories) and possibly on the Prince Edward Islands (South Africa) (del Hoyo et al. 1992). Breeding starts in October in loose colonies, nesting in burrows dug in soft soil or scree near the coast or inland up to 300 m Above Sea Level (ASL) (del Hoyo et al. 1992). The distribution extends farther north in the non-breeding season. Birds feed mostly on squid and crustaceans, which are caught mostly at night by surface-seizing and dipping.

Population Estimates and Trends
Brooke (2004) estimated the global population to number around 600,000 individuals. In 1975-79, the breeding population on Macquarie Island was estimated to be around 16,000 breeding pairs (Brothers 1984). The most recent island population census was undertaken in 2018, with results pending (University of Queensland and Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service unpublished data). The global population is thought to be decreasing owing to predation by invasive species at some sites. Trends in Australia are unknown.

Conservation Concerns and Actions
The primary threats to this species come from invasive predators. Extinction of the species on Auckland Island, New Zealand is attributed to the impact of introduced pigs and cats (Taylor 2013), and despite large numbers breeding birds adjacent to the main island the continued presence of both pigs and cats prevents any recolonisation effort. Cats, Black Rats, European Rabbits and Weka are thought to have caused decreases on Macquarie Island before their eradication (Taylor 2013). The breeding population on Macquarie Island is expected to increase following the removal of invasive species.

Recommended Management Actions
        Consolidate current population data on Macquarie Island

        Regularly monitor breeding populations at index locations

        Determine non-breeding areas and migration routes

        Work with range states to control, or eradicate invasive species on breeding islands

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

90 Wildlife Conservation Plan for Seabirds

Species profiles

Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma macroptera)

Life History and Distribution
The Great-winged Petrel (Pterodroma macroptera) is a large, long winged gadfly petrel with all-dark plumage and black bill, that is very similar to Grey-faced (P. gouldi) and Providence (P. solandri) Petrels. Until recently Grey-faced Petrel and Great-winged Petrel were considered conspecific, it was not until 2014 that these