Tahiti petrel
Pacific seabird near threatened by introduced predators and light pollution.
The Tahiti petrel (*Pseudobulweria rostrata*) is a seabird of medium size, with dark brown plumage and a white belly, ranging across the Pacific. It belongs to the Procellariidae family and is the best-researched species in the *Pseudobulweria* genus—a group that includes three species listed as critically endangered. According to the 2018 IUCN Red List, the Tahiti petrel itself is classified as near threatened. Its main dangers come from introduced predators like rats, feral cats, pigs, and dogs, as well as nickel mining and light pollution.
The species has two subspecies. The first, *P. r. rostrata*, was originally described from a specimen collected in Tahiti by Peale in 1848. The second, *P. r. trouessarti*, was separated in 1917 because of its stouter bill. The two also live in different areas: *P. r. rostrata* breeds in the west-central Pacific, while *P. r. trouessarti* breeds across the tropical and subtropical Pacific. Genetic work later moved the bird from the genus *Pterodroma* into *Pseudobulweria*. That same analysis confirmed that the Mascarene petrel (*Pseudobulweria aterrima*) is a distinct species from the Tahiti petrel. The genus also includes Beck’s petrel, the Fiji petrel, the Mascarene petrel, and the now-extinct Saint Helena petrel. Because so few specimens exist, some scientists still treat Beck’s petrel as part of the Tahiti petrel species.
An adult Tahiti petrel weighs between 315 and 506 grams, has a wingspan averaging 104.5 cm, and a total length of 38 to 42 cm. It has a wedge-shaped tail, long wings and neck, a small head, and a black, stout, bulbous bill. Its eyes are dark brown. The body is mostly dark brown with a darker hood and a paler rump, while the belly is white. A faint white line runs along the middle of the underwings, and the flight feathers are slightly paler. Juveniles look like adults, though females tend to have smaller measurements. At a distance, the Tahiti petrel can be hard to tell apart from other petrels that share its range. Its wings are narrower than those of similar species, held straight and perpendicular to the body in flight, which gives it an albatross-like silhouette. The Phoenix petrel, by contrast, flies with its wings more forward and bent. Up close, the Tahiti petrel differs from the Phoenix petrel by having a smaller bill, a white line on the underwings, and a darker tail. The Atlantic petrel
- Scientific name
- Pseudobulweria rostrata
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Subspecies
- P. r. rostrata and P. r. trouessarti
- Conservation status
- Near threatened (2018 IUCN)
- Average wingspan
- 104.5 cm
- Average length
- 38–42 cm
- Weight range
- 315–506 g
Lore & Background
The Tahiti petrel was first collected and described by Peale in 1848 in Tahiti. In 1917, it was separated into two subspecies: the nominate P. r. rostrata, which breeds in the west-central Pacific Ocean, and P. r. trouessarti, which breeds in the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean, distinguished by trouessarti's more robust bill. Genetic studies later reclassified the species from the genus Pterodroma to Pseudobulweria and confirmed its distinction from the Mascarene petrel. Beck's petrel is currently considered a member of the Tahiti petrel species by some scientists due to lack of specimens.
Reader's Guide
The Tahiti petrel is significant as the most studied member of the Pseudobulweria genus, a group that includes three critically endangered species. Its near-threatened status highlights ongoing conservation challenges, including threats from introduced rats, feral cats, pigs, dogs, nickel mining, and light pollution. Breeding populations are decreasing on Marquesas, Tahiti, and Mo'orea, with an estimated 10,000–19,999 mature individuals globally. A 35% decrease in eastern tropical Pacific individuals was approximated between 1988–1990 and 1998–2000. Conservation actions include plans by the KNS Mining Society to reduce mining in the Koniambo massif mountain range of New Caledonia. The species' breeding biology remains poorly understood, with no data on incubation or chick-rearing gathered for the genus.
Did You Know?
- The Tahiti petrel is the most studied member of the Pseudobulweria genus, which includes three critically endangered species.
- P. r. trouessarti has a more robust bill than the nominate subspecies P. r. rostrata.
- The species scavenges deep-sea fish like hatchetfish and snake mackerels, as it does not dive.
- Coastal light pollution in New Caledonia and French Polynesia can cause mortality in juvenile Tahiti petrels.
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