Data Zone
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 extremely 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
Brooke (2004) estimated the global population to exceed 12,000,000 individuals.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.
This prion breeds on the Prince Edward Islands (South Africa), Crozet Islands, Amsterdam Islands and St Paul Island (French Southern Territories). It ranges at sea from South Africa east to New Zealand.
This marine species normally occurs offshore, and can be found in areas of upwelling outside the breeding season. Its diet is comprised mostly of crustaceans, especially krill, but also fish and squid, all of which it catches either by hydroplaning, surface-seizing or filtering. Breeding starts in October in huge colonies up to and above one million individuals strong. It nests in burrows, usually on islands, inland on highland plateaux or on slopes with grass or shrubs. It can also be found in caves or crevices (del Hoyo et al. 1992).
House Rats Rattus rattus have had a considerable impact on colonies in the past, causing them to shift to locations above the tree-line, and are likely to still be causing declines within the very large breeding colonies. Cats also have some effect and are present on Cochons Island, but are too large to enter burrows although it is thought that predation of adults occurs along with that of near-fledged chicks (Carboneras et al. 2018).
Text account compilers
Butchart, S., Ekstrom, J., Fjagesund, T., Calvert, R., Hermes, C., Martin, R., Newton, P., Stuart, A.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Salvin's Prion Pachyptila salvini. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/salvins-prion-pachyptila-salvini on 22/12/2024.
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 22/12/2024.