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). Despite the fact that the population trend appears to be decreasing, the decline is not believed to be sufficiently rapid to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is potentially very large, and hence would 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 total population size has not been formally quantified, although a review of available data by Brooke (2004) suggests a population of several hundred thousand pairs.
Trend justification
The population is suspected to be in decline owing to predation by invasive species.
Introduced, non-native predators pose the greatest risk to this species. Feral Cats Felis catus depredate both chicks and adults and represent an ongoing threat on many islands (Onley and Scofield 2007). Black Rats Rattus rattus have been identified as having a low-level impact on the species, but predation by other rat species is believed to be one of the greatest future potential threats (Pierce 1998). Predator control management is currently being undertaken to reduce the predation pressures from introduced species, but close proximity of pest-free islands to those where predators are present, increases the likelihood for future re-invasion (Onley and Scofield 2007). The species is also directly persecuted, hunted for its eggs, meat and for use as fish bait in parts of the range. Although this harvest only affects a minority of the population at present, it should be regarded as a future focus for conservation efforts (Onley and Scofield 2007).
Text account compilers
Symes, A., Taylor, J., Fjagesund, T., Martin, R., Bennett, S.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Subantarctic Shearwater Puffinus elegans. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/subantarctic-shearwater-puffinus-elegans on 26/12/2024.
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 26/12/2024.