An image from the paper: Figure 4. Amalgamation annotation of Manx shearwater feathers. Left: the distribution of barbules along the barb at increasing levels of oil treatment. Oil treatments are (a) control, (b) trace colour sheen – 0.1 µm, (c) dark colour sheen – 3 µm, (d) standard slick – 25 µm, and (e) severe slick – 75 µm, (table 1). Right: amalgamation Index analysis has been marked to display spread/clumping reflected in mean AI calculations, with the following colours representing values determined for clump sizes: Red = 1, Yellow = 2, Pink = 3, Blue = 4, Purple = 5, Green = 6.

Emma Murphy (School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Ireland) and colleagues have published open access in Royal Society Open Science on the effects of oil on Manx Shearwaters’ feather structure.

The paper’s abstract follows:

Oil pollution has profound negative impacts on the marine environment, with seabirds particularly vulnerable to oiling, due to the amount of time spent on the sea surface foraging or resting. Exposure to oil can affect feather structure and influence waterproofing, buoyancy and thermoregulation. We investigated the effects of surface crude oil on the feather structure of Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), a seabird species that spends a high proportion of time on the water surface. Sampled body contour feathers were exposed to varying thicknesses of surface crude oil before assessing their resistance to water permeation, increase in mass and clumping of feather barbules. Surface oil as thin as 0.1 µm was enough to increase feather permeability, while greatest impacts on permeability were caused by exposure to dark colour surface sheens 3 µm in thickness. Increases in feather mass of up to 1000% were noted in heavy oiling scenarios due to contact with thicker oil slicks, which may significantly affect wing loading and energetic expenditure.

REFERENCE

Murphy E., Jessopp M. and Darby J. (2022) Light to intermediate oil sheens increase Manx shearwater feather permeability. Royal Society Open Science. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.220488

24 October 2022

An Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross feeds on a dead Loggerhead Turtle; photo time series by Fabio Schunk

Fabio Schunk (Comitê Brasileiro de Registros Ornitológicos, São Paulo, Brazil) and colleagues have published in the open-access journal Marine Ornithology on a juvenile Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos observed feeding on a corpse of a Loggerhead Turtle Caretta caretta at sea off the coast of Brazil.

The paper’s abstract follows:

Albatrosses mostly forage for fish, squid, and crustaceans (including discards from fishing vessels), but they also scavenge animal carcasses, a behavior still poorly characterized for some albatross species. In July 2021 during a pelagic birding trip off the coast of São Paulo State, Southeast Brazil, three Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos were spotted feeding on the floating carcass of a Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta.  This behavior had not been previously documented in the literature, on-line citizen science platforms, or by personal observations. We believe this to be an uncommon feeding strategy for this albatross species.”

An Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross close by the dead Loggerhead Turtle; photograph by Fabio Schunk

With thanks to Fabio Schunk.

Reference:

Schunck, F., Pina, P., Barata, F. & Olmos, F. 2022.  Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos feeding on a dead sea turtle.  Marine Ornithology 50: 143-145.

John Cooper, ACAP News Correspondent, 21 October 2022

 
Kermadec Petrel and chick on Phillip Island, photograph from the Norfolk Island National Park

"Veteran conservation biologists" Nicholas Carlile and Terry O'Dwyer are featured in a 28-minute video by writer, photographer and videographer Stuart Cohen (Bottlebrush Media) on the Kermadec Petrels Pterodroma neglecta that breed on Australia’s Phillip Island, next to Norfolk Island in the south-west Pacific.

"Pterodroma - in search of the Kermadec Petrel"

The video’s description follows:

“This film is not just about a vulnerable seabird but rather an intimate portrait of two Australian scientists and friends, working together in the field, who share a passion for seabird conservation and a desire to unlock the secrets of a cryptic bird about which little is known.  One thousand kilometres off the East Coast of Australia lies a small uninhabited island that is home to 100,000 seabirds, one species of which is at risk and the focus of an intense search.

Nicholas Carlile and Dr Terry O'Dwyer are veteran conservation biologists absolutely devoted to the pursuit of knowledge about seabirds so that they can be conserved and protected.  On the remote 190-hectare (490 acres) Phillip Island, which lies just off the larger and better-known Norfolk Island, Nicholas and Terry have been carrying out regular surveys in search of the beautiful Kermadec Petrel.  No one knows where Kermadec Petrels go when they leave the island but the pair have found a way of tracking these birds with state of the art technology that will allow them to reveal the bird's, until now, secret travels across the globe.

Together they endure many challenges and the weather to find information about the Kermadec Petrel so that the species can be better protected in the future.”

Read more about Phillip Island's Kermadec Petrels here.

John Cooper, ACAP News Correspondent, 20 October 2022

New Zealand’s Te Manu Rongonui o te Tau/Bird of the Year contest has officially opened with two ACAP-listed species in the running for the annual award. 

Representing all New Zealand’s albatross species is the globally Endangered Toroa/Antipodean Albatross Diomedea antipodensis. With an approximate population of 50,000 birds, consisting of less than 10,000 breeding pairs, they are experiencing a rapid decline. Serious at-sea threats are being caught as bycatch by longline fisheries, whilst on land, invasive species such as pigs and cats threaten their survival.

The ACAP-listed Antipodean Albatross ; photograph by Dan Burgin

The Tāiko/Black Petrel Procellaria parkinsoni is also in contention for the Bird of the Year accolade. Globally Vulnerable, Black Petrels only breed on two small islands, Great and Little Barrier Islands in the Hauraki Gulf near Auckland. They are extremely vulnerable to fishing activities as they are often caught and drowned on the baited hooks of longline fishing vessels. Introduced mammals are the biggest threat to their populations on land. 

Also up for New Zealand's Bird of the Year award, the Black Petrel; photgraph by Virgina Nicol

Two other procellariiforms to make the BOTY contestant list are the globally Vulnerable Tītī/Cook’s Petrel Pterodroma cookii and the globally Endangered Kaikōura tītī/Hutton’s Shearwater Puffinus huttoni. Both species are at risk from a number of threats including light pollution which can cause birds to land prematurely or put them at risk of collisions.

Voting is open to everyone, not just to New Zealand citizens. Voters can select up to five birds, ranked in order from their favourite at number one. In a twist to regular proceedings, the organisers have asked voters to include a vote for their favourite “underbird” or overlooked bird. Elements including, conservation status, popularity in previous BOTY competitions and media mentions were apparently considered when compiling the official underbird list voters can choose from.

To explore the full list of birds, and find out how to vote, head to the Bird of the Year website. Voting closes at 5 pm on Sunday 30 October with the winner announced on Monday 31 October.

19 October 2022