Henderson petrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henderson petrel |
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| P. atrata in Easter Island | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Pterodroma
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| Species: |
atrata
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The Henderson petrel (scientific name: Pterodroma atrata) is a special kind of seabird. It belongs to a group called gadfly petrels. These birds nest on the ground. Adult Henderson petrels are about 37 centimeters (14.5 inches) long. They have feathers that are a uniform grey-brown color.
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Where Henderson Petrels Live
These amazing birds are currently endangered. This means they are at high risk of disappearing forever. They are mainly found in the Pitcairn Islands. There might also be some in French Polynesia, but it's hard to be sure. This is because this species was once confused with other similar birds.
Their Special Home
Henderson petrels used to nest on Ducie Island. But sadly, rats introduced by humans wiped out those colonies by 1922. Now, it is believed that they only nest on Henderson Island. This island was made a World Heritage Site in 1988. This helps protect its unique environment.
The Henderson petrel's natural home is a moist, bushy area. This type of habitat is called subtropical scrub. It is found on Henderson Island. Experts said in 2007 that this habitat needed urgent help to be restored. This is very important for the petrels' survival.
Discovering the Henderson Petrel
The Henderson petrel has an interesting history of discovery. During Captain Cook's first big sea journey, a scientist named Daniel Solander saw a new petrel. This was on March 21, 1769. He wrote about it in his notes and named it Procellaria atrata.
How the Bird Got Its Name
Solander's notes were not widely known for a long time. Then, in 1912, a scientist named Gregory Mathews published them. Mathews renamed the bird Pterodroma atrata. For many years, scientists thought these dark-colored birds were just a dark version of another bird, the Herald petrel. It wasn't until 1996 that clear proof showed the Henderson petrel was its own unique species.
Protecting the Henderson Petrel
Many centuries ago, millions of Henderson petrel pairs lived and bred on Henderson Island. In the early 1990s, scientists estimated there were about 16,000 breeding pairs. Today, the number of birds in the colony is thought to be around 40,000.
The Threat of Rats
A big problem for these birds is the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans). These rats were probably brought to the island by early Polynesian traders. These rats eat about 25,000 petrel chicks every year! This has almost wiped out the petrel colony.
Saving the Species
To save the Henderson petrel from disappearing, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) started a big project. They tried to get rid of the rats on the island. This project cost about £1.5 million. The goal was to make the island rat-free. This effort happened in August 2011.
While they did reduce the rat population, they couldn't get rid of all of them. The RSPB decided to do more research before trying another rat removal. By 2015, a research team had finished several studies. However, a final decision on how to proceed had not yet been made. Protecting these special birds is an ongoing challenge.
