(Portuguese Common Name - Roquinho) Reproduction There are two distinct populations of Madeiran Storm Petrel in Macaronesia. One population begins breeding in September/October (the cold season population), and abandons the nests in February/March; the other starts breeding in March/April, and leaves in July/August (the warm season population). Distribution and population size This migratory species has a worldwide distribution, including the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It occurs on all the archipelagos of Macaronesia and on every island of the archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores. Identification It is a small, dark bird with a white rump patch. Habitat The Madeiran Storm Petrel nests on small, rocky islands and islets. The nest, whose small dimensions make access very difficult, is made in crevices, rocky fissures and piles of stones. Conservation Threats This species is probably unaffected by human predation, given that its nests are not only difficult to find, but the bird and its egg are then difficult to reach. As with other marine birds, the principal threats relate to the presence of introduced mammal such as rats and cats, to the breeding areas. Conservation status and legal instruments of protection The conservation status of the Madeiran Storm Petrel is Vulnerable and dependent on management. It is included in Annex I of the Birds Directive and Annex II of the Berne Convention. A significant part of its breeding habitat is included in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. Current state of knowledge in Portugal There is some information on the breeding season and breeding biology in Portugal, and on the differences between the cold and warm season populations. There have also been studies on the breeding sites on Madeira and the Azores. There have been no studies of its distribution at sea through the year. Notes This bird has two distinct breeding seasons. In spring the warm season population nests and in autumn other birds nests in the same sites, this being the cold season population. There are currently studies underway to determine the factors that lead to this situation: there are already strong indications that we may be dealing with two separate subspecies. |