Townsend's shearwater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Townsend's shearwater |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Puffinus
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| Species: |
auricularis
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| Synonyms | |
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Puffinus auricularis auricularis |
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The Townsend's shearwater (Puffinus auricularis) is a special type of seabird that lives in warm, tropical areas. It belongs to a family of birds called Procellariidae, which includes petrels and other shearwaters. This bird is very rare and faces many dangers, making it a critically endangered species.
Contents
Understanding the Townsend's Shearwater
How Scientists Group This Bird
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to group living things. This helps us understand how different animals are related. The Townsend's shearwater's family tree is a bit complicated.
- Its closest relatives are likely the Hawaiian shearwater (Puffinus newelli) and possibly the Manx shearwater (Puffinus puffinus).
- For a long time, the Hawaiian shearwater was thought to be a type of Townsend's shearwater.
- The Rapa shearwater (P. myrtae) is another bird whose relationship to these species is still being studied.
Who Was Charles Haskins Townsend?
The Townsend's shearwater is named after Charles Haskins Townsend (1859–1944). He was a famous American scientist who studied birds and fish. Naming species after the people who discovered or studied them is a common way to honor their work.
Protecting the Townsend's Shearwater
Where These Birds Live and Breed
Townsend's shearwaters currently breed mainly around Cerro Evermann on Isla Socorro. This island is part of the Revillagigedo Islands in Mexico. In the past, they also lived on Clarion Island and San Benedicto.
Dangers They Face
Sadly, these birds are in great danger. They are classified as critically endangered because their population is very small. Scientists estimate there are only between 249 and 999 adult birds left.
Here are the main threats:
- Introduced Animals:
* Feral cats arrived on Socorro in the early 1970s. These cats hunt the shearwaters, especially when the birds land and are out in the open. * Sheep and goats also cause problems by eating plants and destroying the places where the birds nest. * On Clarion Island, introduced pigs, sheep, and rabbits destroyed nesting areas. Rabbits even competed with the shearwaters for their burrows (underground nests).
- Light Pollution: A new airstrip on Socorro creates light pollution. Bright lights can confuse seabirds, making it harder for them to find their way.
- Volcanic Eruptions: Volcanoes are a natural threat. A past eruption wiped out the shearwater population on San Benedicto.
Efforts to Help Them
People are working hard to protect the Townsend's shearwater:
- On Clarion Island, pigs and sheep have been removed. Efforts are still ongoing to remove rabbits.
- On Socorro Island, work is happening to remove the sheep.
These efforts are very important to help this rare seabird survive and thrive in its natural home.
