Justification of Red List category
This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (extent of occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
Population justification
The population size of Atlantic Gygis populations (here separated as a monotypic species) has not been accurately estimated, although is suspected to number c.25,000-49,999 mature individuals following Wetlands International (2022).
Trend justification
No trend data for this species are available (Wetlands International 2022) although it is suspected here to be stable in the absence of threats.
The species breeds on four South Atlantic island groups, namely Fernando de Noronha, Trindade, Ascension and St Helena.
Text account compilers
Berryman, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Atlantic White Tern Gygis alba. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/atlantic-white-tern-gygis-alba on 29/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 29/12/2024.