Fauna Spotters logo

Kermadec Petrel (western) (Pterodroma neglecta neglecta)

This pelagic seabird occurs in Australian waters around Lord Howe Island and is also recorded at sea off Queensland. It breeds on offshore islands, nesting on the ground under vegetation or in rock crevices, including in coastal breeding habitat.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Seasonal planning

Kermadec Petrels may be encountered on Queensland seamounts in summer, from December to February.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Present in Queensland waters: Kermadec Petrels may be encountered on Queensland seamounts in summer, from December to February.

Identification: Appearance

The Kermadec Petrel is a large, robust petrel with highly variable plumage, including dark, pale, intermediate and white-headed forms. White primary shafts on the upper surface of the wings are a distinctive field feature.

The Kermadec Petrel is a large, robust petrel with highly variable plumage, including dark, pale, intermediate and white-headed forms. White primary shafts on the upper surface of the wings are a distinctive field feature.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

In Australia, the western subspecies is associated with Lord Howe Island, including Balls Pyramid, and the species is recorded at sea off Queensland and New South Wales. It breeds on islands across the south-west and central South Pacific.

In Australia, the western subspecies is associated with Lord Howe Island, including Balls Pyramid, and the species is recorded at sea off Queensland and New South Wales. It breeds on islands across the south-west and central South Pacific.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

At sea it uses subtropical South Pacific waters, generally near breeding islands. Breeding habitat includes sloping coastal terrain with low vegetation, where nests are placed on the ground under vegetation or in rock crevices.

At sea it uses subtropical South Pacific waters, generally near breeding islands. Breeding habitat includes sloping coastal terrain with low vegetation, where nests are placed on the ground under vegetation or in rock crevices.

Foraging habitat: Diet

It feeds mainly on squid, fish and crustaceans, taking food from the water surface or while flying low over the sea. It may also obtain food by piracy from other seabirds.

It feeds mainly on squid, fish and crustaceans, taking food from the water surface or while flying low over the sea. It may also obtain food by piracy from other seabirds.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Kermadec Petrels breed colonially on offshore islands and lay one egg per season, with both parents caring for the chick. The species nests on the ground beneath vegetation or in rock crevices.

Kermadec Petrels breed colonially on offshore islands and lay one egg per season, with both parents caring for the chick. The species nests on the ground beneath vegetation or in rock crevices.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Nests are placed on the ground under vegetation or in rock crevices. On Phillip Island, breeding sites were on sloping terrain under low scrubby woodland near the coast.

Nests are placed on the ground under vegetation or in rock crevices. On Phillip Island, breeding sites were on sloping terrain under low scrubby woodland near the coast.

Threats: Threats

Avian ground predators are identified as a threat to this surface-nesting petrel at breeding sites.

Avian ground predators are identified as a threat to this surface-nesting petrel at breeding sites.

Threats: Works risk

Clearing or construction within occupied breeding habitat could disturb or remove vegetation around exposed ground nests. Works on coastal slopes near breeding colonies should account for the species’ use of low scrubby woodland and ground nesting sites.

Survey methodology: 1. Commonwealth guidance

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened birds, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 2. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources