Flesh-footed Shearwaters (Puffinus carneipes) breed in Australia and New Zealand, but spend the non-breeding season in the north Pacific Ocean. They are rare compared with most non-breeding pelagic seabirds that occur in the northeastern Pacific. Recent surveys at breeding colonies have indicated a significant population decline since the 1970s. We compiled records of Flesh-footed Shearwaters off the Pacific coast of Canada and Alaska from 1937 to 2013. Flesh-footed Shearwaters were recorded from May to October, with most sightings in August and September. Flocks of more than 20 birds have not been recorded since the 1940s, and most sightings have been of single birds, although some key areas (e.g., Goose Island Bank) have not been surveyed in recent years and previous surveys are confounded by fishing activity. Given the significant population declines at breeding colonies, the conservation status of Flesh-footed Shearwaters should be revisited.

Item Type:	Contribution to Refereed Journal
Keywords:	flesh-footed shearwater, Puffinus carneipes, Ardenna carneipes, at-sea abundance, seabird population trends
Research Division:	Environmental Sciences
Research Group:	Environmental management
Research Field:	Conservation and biodiversity
Objective Division:	Environmental Management
Objective Group:	Marine systems and management
Objective Field:	Marine biodiversity
UTAS Author:	Lavers, JL (Dr Jennifer Lavers)
ID Code:	103988
Year Published:	2015
Deposited By:	IMAS Research and Education Centre
Deposited On:	2015-10-30
Last Modified:	2015-12-16
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