Birds
Spectacled Petrel
Procellaria conouri
Marked by pale eye rings that give it a spectacled look against otherwise dark plumage, a spectacled petrel breeds only on a single remote island in the South Atlantic, its population now recovering after measures to curb fishing bycatch.
Overview
The spectacled petrel, Procellaria conouri, is a Vulnerable seabird native to ocean habitat across the South Atlantic, foraging widely from a single breeding island. Its extraordinarily restricted breeding range, its distinctive pale eye markings, and its documented recovery following bycatch mitigation make it one of the more closely watched conservation success stories among Southern Hemisphere petrels.
A single island holding an entire species
With every spectacled petrel on Earth hatched on just one remote island, the species’ fate has rested almost entirely on the safety of Inaccessible Island and on reducing the fishing bycatch that once threatened its small population far out at sea.
Status
Vulnerable, with a population confined to a single breeding island that has shown a documented increase following bycatch mitigation measures.
Spectacled Petrel: common questions
Why is it called the spectacled petrel?
This species has pale, whitish markings around its eyes that resemble a pair of spectacles, a feature that gives the species its common name and helps distinguish it from close relatives.
How restricted is the spectacled petrel's breeding range?
This species breeds only on Inaccessible Island in the Tristan da Cunha group, one of the most restricted breeding ranges of any seabird species alive today.
Has the spectacled petrel's population improved recently?
Yes, this species has shown population recovery following measures introduced to reduce accidental bycatch in longline fishing operations across parts of its South Atlantic range.
Is the spectacled petrel closely related to any other petrel species?
Yes, this species is closely related to the white-chinned petrel, differing mainly in its distinctive pale eye markings and considerably smaller global population.