Guadalupe storm petrel

Guadalupe Storm Petrel (Hydrobates macrodactylus) is a small seabird belonging to the family Hydrobatidae. This species is considered to be critically endangered, if not already extinct. The Guadalupe Storm Petrel is closely related to the Leach's Storm Petrel and was primarily found on Guadalupe Island, off the coast of Mexico. The decline in its population has been attributed to human activities and the introduction of predatory species to its habitat.

Description

The Guadalupe Storm Petrel is a small bird, measuring approximately 18 to 20 cm in length, with a wingspan of about 43 to 45 cm. It has a predominantly dark brown plumage, lighter on the underparts, and a distinctive white rump that contrasts with its dark tail. The bird's flight is fluttery and bat-like, typical of storm petrels. It feeds on small fish and squid, catching its prey by skimming the ocean surface.

Habitat and Distribution

Historically, the Guadalupe Storm Petrel nested exclusively on Guadalupe Island. Its habitat comprised of open forest and shrubland, where it nested in burrows dug into the soil. The bird's distribution was limited to this area, making it endemic to Mexico. However, due to habitat destruction and predation by introduced species such as cats and rats, sightings of the Guadalupe Storm Petrel have become exceedingly rare, leading to concerns about its extinction.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the Guadalupe Storm Petrel as Critically Endangered. The primary threats to its survival include habitat destruction due to logging and grazing, as well as predation by introduced species. Conservation efforts have been focused on habitat restoration and the eradication of invasive species from Guadalupe Island. However, there have been no confirmed sightings of the bird in recent years, raising the possibility that the Guadalupe Storm Petrel may already be extinct.

See Also

• Seabirds
• Endangered species
• Conservation biology