Habitat use and limiting factors in a population of Hawaiian Dark-rumped Petrels on Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Author:

Hu, Darcy, Glidden, Catherine, Lippert, Jill S., Schnell, Lena, MacIvor, James S., Meisler, Julian

Title:

Habitat use and limiting factors in a population of Hawaiian Dark-rumped Petrels on Mauna Loa, Hawaii

Periodical:

Evolution, ecology, conservation, and management of Hawaiian birds : a vanishing avifauna

Year:

2001

Pages:

234-242

Subject:

Hawaiian Dark-rumped Petrel Feral cats Predation Pterodroma phaeopygia sandwichensis Uau

Summary:

The Hawaiian Dark-rumped Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia sandwichensis) was one of five procellariid seabirds that was found in the main Hawaiian Islands prior to human contact. However, of these, only three remain today. Historical, ethnographic, archeological, and paleontological evidence suggest that prior to human arrival, this species occurred on all the main Hawaiian Islands and was abundant across a range of elevations. It was also one of the "most abundantly represented bird in the Oahu deposits" that were found at sea level and, on the island of Hawaii, it was the most common species that was found in a paleontologically rich lave tube that is located on Hualalai that runs from 1310 - 1890 meter elevation. At the time of this writing, the Dark-rumped Petrels bred on the island of Kauai, at Haleakala on the island of Maui, and on Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaii. While colonies may still occur on the islands of Lanai, Molokai, and on other islands in the Hawaiian island chain, statewide estimates show that the population of this species range from the thousands to perhaps the low tens of thousands. In addition, a primary threat to the more than 500 breeding pairs that inhabit Haleakala, is the predation from introduced mammals such as roof rats (Rattus rattus), small Indian mongooses (Herpestes auropunctatus), feral cats (Felis catus), and dogs (Canis familiaris). However, an ongoing and aggressive predator control program has halted most losses, and this important colony appears secure. As a result, the goal of this study was to locate as many nests as possible in an effort to characterize habitat use at both regional and local scales, estimate nest success, and assess the seriousness of the predation threat. This work was conducted between July, 1993 and April, 1997 within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park between approximately 2440 and 2900 meter elevation on the southeast flank of Mauna Loa.

Collection:

Monographs