Atlantic petrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atlantic petrel |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterodroma
|
| Species: |
incerta
|
The Atlantic petrel (Pterodroma incerta) is a special type of seabird that lives only in the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a kind of gadfly petrel, known for its fast, darting flight. These birds build huge colonies on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. They fly across the ocean from Brazil to Namibia. Most often, they are seen west of their breeding islands.
Contents
Meet the Atlantic Petrel
The Atlantic petrel is a medium-sized seabird. It spends most of its life flying over the open ocean. These birds are part of a group called Pterodroma, which means "wing-runner." This name describes how they seem to run on the water before taking flight.
Where Do They Live?
Atlantic petrels are found only in the South Atlantic Ocean. This means they are endemic to this area. They make their nests in very large groups, called colonies. Their main breeding grounds are two remote islands: Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. When they are not breeding, they travel far across the ocean. They can be found from the coast of Brazil in South America all the way to Namibia in Africa.
What Do They Eat?
Atlantic petrels are skilled hunters of the sea. Their favorite food is squid. In some studies, squid makes up almost 90% of their diet. They also eat lanternfishes, which are small fish that swim up closer to the surface at night. Sometimes, they will also eat small crustaceans, like tiny shrimp.
Why Are They Endangered?
Even though there are many Atlantic petrels, about 5 million birds, they are in danger. The IUCN lists them as an endangered species. This is because they only breed on two islands. In the past, people hunted these birds for food, which caused their numbers to drop.
The Threat of Mice
Today, a big threat to Atlantic petrels comes from introduced house mice. These mice were brought to the islands by accident. They attack the young chicks in their nests. This makes it very hard for the petrels to successfully raise their young. Because of these attacks, fewer chicks survive to become adult birds.
In 2008, new research showed how serious the mouse problem was. Before that, the Atlantic petrel was listed as a vulnerable species. But because of the severe impact of the mice, its status was changed to "endangered." This means they are at a very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild. Protecting these birds and their island homes is very important.
See also
In Spanish: Petrel de Schlegel para niños
