The modern avifauna of the Pitcairn Islands

Brooke, M. de L.

doi:10.1111/j.1095-8312.1995.tb01085.x

Cited by 18 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Yet, the chronological pattern suggested above for southwest rubricauda differs from that indicated for rubricauda in the southeast Pacific, which we assume to have originated primarily from the Pitcairn Islands. That is, the 50% increase during the austral spring in the estimated abundance and range expansion of rubricauda found in equatorial waters immediately north of the Pitcairn Islands is consistent with a post‐breeding dispersal following an austral autumn breeding season; this timing consistent with that noted by Brooke (1995) for the Pitcairn Archipelago. However, the increase in abundance in the Pitcairn vicinity could also reflect dispersal by birds from the Polynesian Islands to the west (which declined appreciably during austral spring) and even Hawaiian birds from the north.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…With an average incubation period of 45 days, and an average chick‐rearing period of 100 days (Schreiber & Schreiber 1993), peak fledging should occur from January to February and be completed by April. The available information on the timing of breeding of rubricauda south of the Equator is sparse, although information from the Pitcairn Islands (Brooke 1995) indicates that they breed throughout the year, possibly with peak laying in the austral autumn. Assuming that they have a similar incubation and chick‐rearing period as Line Island birds, fledging should peak in the austral winter and spring.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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At‐sea distributions and abundance of tropicbirds in the eastern Pacific

Spear

Ainley

2005

Ibis

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During spring and autumn 1980–95, we surveyed Red‐tailed Phaethon rubricauda, White‐tailed P. lepturus and Red‐billed Tropicbirds P. aethereus at sea in the Pacific between the coast of the Americas and 176°W. For the Pacific, we had complete coverage of the range of aethereus, but only partial coverage of that of rubricauda and lepturus. Six areas of higher density were indicated: three of rubricauda, two of lepturus and one of aethereus. After pooling data across years, the ‘abundance’ (total number including subadults and adults) estimate for rubricauda was 81 700 (boreal spring) and 86 500 (boreal autumn) birds. Abundance of each of the three rubricauda subpopulations differed between seasons by about 50% despite seasonal consistency when populations were grouped. Furthermore, high densities of rubricauda occurred at the edge of our study area, indicating that neither of the seasonal estimates for this species could be considered as total numbers. Abundance estimates of lepturus during the non‐breeding season (when these birds had dispersed from colonies) were 11 000 and 41 500 birds for northern and southern populations, respectively. Estimated abundance of aethereus during the boreal spring was 26 700 birds, and 33 400 during the boreal autumn. Because tropicbirds are attracted to survey vessels, we also estimated the abundance after excluding those recorded as flying in a steady direction, or having been attracted to the ship. Considering only stationary birds (i.e. those that could not have been attracted), our minimum estimates were 41 000 rubricauda, 15 750 aethereus, 28 000 southern lepturus and 6400 northern lepturus.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

At‐sea distributions and abundance of tropicbirds in the eastern Pacific

Spear

Ainley

2005

Ibis

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“…A second group of UKOT endemic species are not currently declining as a result of mammalian predators but are believed to be very sensitive to any future introductions. Some of these appear robust to the invasive predators with which they currently co‐exist, such as the four Vulnerable endemic land‐bird species on Henderson Island, which co‐occur with Kiore (de Brooke 1995a), Gough Moorhen Gallinula comeri (also Vulnerable), which apparently tolerates House Mice on Gough Island (Cuthbert & Sommer 2004), Atlantic Yellow‐nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos (Endangered), which appears tolerant of rodents on Tristan da Cunha, and the non‐threatened Falkland Steamerduck Tachyeres brachypterus , which is abundant throughout the islands (Woods & Woods 1997). Conversely, two of these species (both globally Vulnerable) have their natural range entirely on mammal‐free islands – Inaccessible Rail Atlantisia rogersi (endemic to Inaccessible Island, Tristan da Cunha) and Grosbeak Bunting Nesospiza wilkinsi (endemic to Inaccessible and Nightingale Islands).…”

Section: Current Impactsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2008); BIOT: Symens (1999); Falkland Islands: Woods and Woods (1997), Catry et al. (2003), Reid and Huin (2005); Pitcairn: de Brooke (1995a,b, 2006); South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands: Prince and Croxall (1996), Poncet (2006); St Helena: Ashmole and Ashmole (2000), McCulloch (2004); Tristan da Cunha: Angel and Cooper (2006), Ryan (2005).…”

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confidence: 99%

Review article: The catastrophic impact of invasive mammalian predators on birds of the UK Overseas Territories: a review and synthesis

Hilton

Cuthbert

2010

Ibis

116

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The UK has sovereignty over 16 Overseas Territories, which hold some of the world’s great seabird colonies and collectively support more endemic and globally threatened bird species than the whole of mainland Europe. Invasive alien mammalian predators have spread throughout most of the Territories, primarily since European expansion in the 16th century. Here we review and synthesize the scale of their impacts, historical and current, actions to reduce and reverse these impacts, and priorities for conservation. Mammalian predators have caused a catastrophic wave of extinctions and reductions in seabird colony size that mark the UKOTs as a major centre of global extinction. Mammal‐induced declines of threatened endemics and seabird colonies continue, with four Critically Endangered endemics on Gough Island (Tristan da Cunha), St Helena and Montserrat directly threatened by invasive alien House Mice Mus musculus, Feral Cats Felis catus and rats Rattus spp. Action to reduce these threats and restore islands has been modest in comparison with other developed countries, although some notable successes have occurred and a large number of ambitious eradication and conservation plans are in preparation. Priority islands for conservation action against mammalian predators include Gough (which according to one published prioritization scheme is the highest‐ranked island in the world for mammal eradication), St Helena and Montserrat, but also on Tristan da Cunha, Pitcairn and the Falkland Islands. Technical, financial and political will is required to push forward and fund the eradication of invasive mammalian predators on these islands, which would significantly reduce extinction risk for a number of globally threatened species.

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“…Approximately 40 birds have been recorded from either the islands of the Pitcairn group or crossing the ocean area between the islands, and at least four landbirds became extinct during the period of Polynesian habitation (Brooke, 1995; Wragg, 1995). Most of the sea birds and migrants are opportunists, feeding primarily on fish or squid, but the landbirds are commonly either omnivores or frugivores (Brooke & Jones, 1995; Imber et al.…”

Section: Causal Factors Of These Distribution Patternsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The phytogeographical affinities of the Pitcairn Islands – a model for south‐eastern Polynesia?

Kingston¹,

Waldren²,

Bradley³

2003

Journal of Biogeography

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Aim To identify how the Pitcairn group relates biogeographically to the south‐eastern Polynesian region and if, as a subset of the regions flora, it can then be used as a model for biogeographical analyses. Location The Pitcairn group (25°4′ S, 130°06′ W) comprises four islands: Pitcairn, a relatively young, high volcanic Island; Henderson, an uplifted atoll, the uplift caused by the eruption of Pitcairn; and two atolls, Ducie and Oeno. The remote location, young age and range of island types found in the Pitcairn Island group makes the group ideal for the study of island biogeography and evolution. Methods A detailed literature survey was carried out and several data sets were compiled. Dispersal method, propagule number and range data were collected for each of the 114 species that occurs in the Pitcairn group, and environmental data was also gathered for islands in Polynesia. Analyses were carried out using non‐metric multidimensional scaling and clustering techniques. Results The flora of the Pitcairn Islands is derived from the flora of other island groups in the south‐eastern Polynesian region, notably those of the Austral, Society and Cook Islands. Species with a Pacific‐wide distribution dominate the overall Pitcairn group flora. However, each of the islands show different patterns; Pitcairn is dominated by species with Pacific, Polynesian and endemic distributions, with anemochory as the dominant dispersal method (39.5%); Henderson is also dominated by species with Pacific, Polynesian and endemic distributions, but zoochory is the dominant dispersal method (59.4); Oeno and Ducie are dominated by Pantropic species with hydrochory as the most common dispersal method (52.9% and 100%, respectively). Main conclusions • Habitat availability is the most significant factor determining the composition and size of the flora. • South‐east Polynesia is a valid biogeographical unit, and should include the Cook, Austral, Society, Marquesas, Gambier, Tuamotu and Pitcairn Islands with Rapa, but should exclude Easter Island, Tonga and Samoa. • Regionalization schemes should take island type into consideration. • The Pitcairn Island group can serve as a useful model for Pacific biogeographical analyses.

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The modern avifauna of the Pitcairn Islands

Cited by 18 publications

References 23 publications

At‐sea distributions and abundance of tropicbirds in the eastern Pacific

At‐sea distributions and abundance of tropicbirds in the eastern Pacific

Review article: The catastrophic impact of invasive mammalian predators on birds of the UK Overseas Territories: a review and synthesis

The phytogeographical affinities of the Pitcairn Islands – a model for south‐eastern Polynesia?

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