Black petrel/tākoketai

Black petrel conservation

The black petrel is a burrow-nesting seabird. They feed in small groups, often near dolphins, whales or fishing boats.

This endemic seabird once bred throughout the mountains of North Island and northwest Nelson region. Due to introduced predators and habitat loss, they now only bread on Great Barrier Island (Aotea Island) and Te Hauturu-o-Toi / Little Barrier Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Aotea population has been intensively monitored since 1995 and shows a decline rate of at least 1.4% a year. There are now about 5,000 breading pairs left. The population on Te Hauturu-o-Toi is recovering after removal of feral cats in 1980 and rats in 2004.

Threats

The black petrel is threatened due to its feeding habits. They mainly eat squid and small fish. They like to scavenge behind fishing boats where they can be caught on fishing lines as they dive to retrieve baits.

The breeding colony on Aotea is also threatened by predators such as feral pigs, feral cats and rats. Black petrels on Te Hauturu-o-toi can breed in safety because the island is now a predator-free sanctuary.

DOC’s work

DOC funds survey trips to the breeding colony on Aotea every year. The aim is to visit each study burrow at least once to identify the breeding pairs and to learn more about these unique seabirds.

Tracking studies following juveniles and adults helps us to better understand where the birds go and which fisheries they interact with.

DOC also runs predator control programmes on Aotea with the aim of one day making the island predator-free.

You can help

Recreational fishers can help protect black petrels and other sea birds by:

• sinking baited hooks fast to below 10m deep
• avoiding discarding baits and waste when actively fishing.

Find actions you can take to help birds