Tasmanian Seabird Identification Guide

Transcription

1 Tasmanian Seabird Identification Guide

2 Seabird fishery interactions Seabird fishery interactions can be reduced in several ways. A few of these are listed here, and details of more can be found in the Technical Report, which is available on both the TSIC and BirdLife Tasmania websites. The report gives more information about the estimated populations of seabirds breeding in Tasmania, their foraging behaviour and breeding seasons, and ways to mitigate and minimise seabird interactions. Risks to seabirds Entanglement and drowning; collision with gear. Collision with vessel; landing on vessel; disorientation. Mitigation and minimisation options Avoid setting nets close to penguin, cormorant and shearwater colonies to minimise risk of netting foraging birds. Retention and/or appropriate management of discards and bycatch reduces seabirds attraction to vessels, particularly during fishing operations. Use of bird-scaring lines deters birds from the lines while they are being set and recovered. Weighting lines increases their sink rate and reduces scavenging birds access to them. Minimise artificial lighting to that required for safe working conditions and compliance with regulations. Use curtains inside cabins to minimise light bleed from inside the vessel.

3 Wilson s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus Diagnostic features: Wingspan 40 cm, body length approximately 20 cm. A small seabird that often feeds by holding its wings out and walking on the surface while pecking at floating food. A dark bird with a white saddle in front of the tail. Pale bars on upper wings, black feet with bright yellow webs. Attracted to vessels, will land on deck if disoriented by lights. Foraging areas and behaviour: Inshore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: December to May. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine and migratory; not listed, respectively.

4 Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans Diagnostic features: Wingspan 3.0 m, body length approximately 1.2 m. Highly variable colouration to body and wings, with seven stages recognised. Young birds dark with white face, feathers gradually whitening with age until adults appear mostly white with some black on wings and tail. Scavenges aggressively. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: December to December (12 months). EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable, marine and migratory; Endangered, respectively.

5 Southern Royal Albatross Diomedea epomophora Diagnostic features: Wingspan 3.3 m, body length approximately 1.2 m. The seabird with the greatest wingspan around Tasmania. Leading edges of wings white, body and wings increasingly white as birds age; old birds may have only black tips to wings. Black cutting edge to upper bill. Scavenges aggressively. Northern species (D. sanfordi) is endangered. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: December to November. EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable, marine and migratory; not listed, respectively.

6 Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys Diagnostic features: Wingspan 2.4 m, body length approximately 0.9 m. Conspicuous eyebrow and very dark underwings. Adult birds have red bill tip, younger birds have dark bill that lightens with age. Attracted to vessels. Closely related Campbell Albatross (T. impavida) has conspicuous yellow iris. Also known as mollymawk. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: October to May. EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable, marine and migratory; not listed, respectively.

7 Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta Diagnostic features: Wingspan 1.9 m, body length approximately 0.9 m. Conspicuous white cap and pale grey face, yellow tip to bill. Narrow black edge to underwing with diagnostic black thumbmark at base of leading edge of underwing. Scavenges aggressively. Also known as mollymawk. Foraging areas and behaviour: Inshore to offshore, oceanic. Surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: September to May. EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable, marine and migratory; vulnerable, respectively.

8 Buller s Albatross Thalassarche bulleri Diagnostic features: Wingspan 2.1 m, body length approximately 0.8 m. Grey face and neck with white forehead and cap, yellow on upper and lower bill, younger birds have dark bill. Narrow dark leading edge to underwing. Attracted to vessels. Also known as mollymawk. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: Variable, ranges October to September. EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable, marine and migratory; not listed, respectively.

9 Light-mantled Sooty Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata Diagnostic features: Wingspan 2.2 m, body length approximately 0.9 m. Ashy-brown body, darker around the head. Black bill with pale blue edge on lower bill, conspicuous partial white eye ring. Attracted to vessels. Also known as mollymawk. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: October to June. EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable, marine and migratory; Vulnerable, respectively.

10 Southern Giant Petrel (dark morph) Macronectes giganteus Diagnostic features: Wingspan 2.0 m, body length approximately 0.9 m. Massive bill that is tipped green. Young birds are very dark, feathers lightening with age. Older birds will have pale to white face, throat and back. Scavenges aggressively. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: August to May, varies with breeding location. EPBC and TTSPA status: Endangered, marine and migratory; Vulnerable, respectively.

11 Southern Giant Petrel (white morph) Macronectes giganteus Diagnostic features: Wingspan 2.0 m, body length approximately 0.9 m. Massive bill that is tipped green. Body, wings and head virtually completely white with occasional dark brown flecks. Young birds are also white. Scavenges aggressively. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: August to May, varies with breeding location. EPBC and TTSPA status: Endangered, marine and migratory; Vulnerable, respectively.

12 Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli Diagnostic features: Wingspan 1.9 m, body length approximately 0.9 m. Massive bill that is tipped red. Young birds are very dark, feathers lightening with age. Older birds will have pale to white face and throat. Scavenges aggressively. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: August to March. EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable, marine and migratory; Rare, respectively.

13 Cape Petrel Daption capense Diagnostic features: Wingspan 90 cm, body length approximately 40 cm. Unmistakable black and white plumage, dark head and pale underneath. Scavenges aggressively; will land on deck if disoriented by lights. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: November to March. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine; not listed, respectively.

14 Blue Petrel Halobaena caerulea Diagnostic features: Wingspan 60 cm, body length approximately 30 cm. Highly mobile and very active flier, typically close to water surface. Dark M across back of wings and body, dark mask around side of face. Conspicuous white tail tip is diagnostic. Attracted to vessels. Will land on deck if disoriented by lights. Foraging areas and behaviour: Near shore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: October to February. EPBC and TTSPA status: Vulnerable and marine; Vulnerable, respectively.

15 Prions Pachyptila spp. Diagnostic features: Wingspan 60 cm, body length approximately 30 cm. Pale blue-grey above and white below. Dark M across back of wings and body, variable dark mask around sides of face. Attracted to vessels; will land on deck if disoriented by lights. Foraging areas and behaviour: Inshore to offshore, oceanic. Surface seizing. Breeding season: October to March. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine; not listed, respectively (all species).

16 White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis Diagnostic features: Wingspan 1.4 m, body length approximately 0.6 m. Dark brown to black body, head and wings. Ivory coloured bill with variable amount of white on the chin (may be absent). Scavenges aggressively. Is attracted to, and follows, vessels. Foraging areas and behaviour: Offshore to oceanic, surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: November to April. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine and migratory; not listed, respectively.

17 Short-tailed Shearwater Ardenna tenuirostris Diagnostic features: Wingspan 1.0 m, body length approximately 40 cm. Forms large rafts close to colonies, may number in the tens of thousands. Dark body and head, pointed wings. Foraging areas and behaviour: Inshore to oceanic, diving. Breeding season: December to April. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine and migratory; Not listed, respectively.

18 Diving-Petrels Pelecanoides spp. Diagnostic features: Wingspan cm, body length cm. Two species in Tasmanian waters, both small-bodied seabirds that fly with rapid wingbeats close to the surface; often fly into waves. Dark above and pale below, short stubby bill. Will land on deck if disoriented by lights. Foraging areas and behaviour: Inshore to oceanic, diving. Breeding season: August to April. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine; not listed, respectively (both species).

19 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator Diagnostic features: Wingspan 1.7 m, body length approximately 0.9 m. Ultra-white body with black on wings, apricot head and pale bill. Dives from 10+ m above the surface. Foraging areas and behaviour: Coastal to oceanic, diving. Breeding season: August to April. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine; not listed, respectively.

20 Black-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax fuscescens Diagnostic features: Wingspan 1.1 m, body length approximately 0.7 m. Black wings, white body, neck and sides of head. Flies close to water s surface. Will land on deck if disoriented by lights. Foraging areas and behaviour: Coastal/inshore, dives from surface. Breeding season: September to February. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine; not listed, respectively.

21 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus Diagnostic features: Wingspan 1.4 m, body length approximately 0.6 m. Black wings and all-white tail. Red spot on lower bill only. Young birds are dark brown; body and bill lightens with age. Aggressively scavenges; may land on deck if disoriented by lights. Similar Pacific Gull (L. Pacificus) is larger and has red on upper and lower bill. Also known as mollymawk. Foraging areas and behaviour: Coastal, inshore and offshore, occasionally oceanic. Surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: August to February. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine; not listed, respectively.

22 Silver Gull Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae Diagnostic features: Wingspan 90 cm, body length approximately 40 cm. Silver-grey wings, white body and head, blood-red legs and bill in adults. Attracted to vessels; may land on deck if disoriented by lights. Foraging areas and behaviour: Coastal/inshore. Surface seizing and scavenging. Breeding season: September to January. EPBC and TTSPA status: Marine; not listed, respectively.

23 Seabird fishery interactions Should a seabird interaction occur, please collect and record the following data: the species involved (use Tasmanian Seabird Identification Guide or some other resource); the date, time, weather conditions and position; the type of interaction (describe the gear in use and what happened); the band number(s) if present (see Appendix 9 of the Technical Report for contact details for reporting bands). Also, the bird should be photographed where possible to confirm its species identification. Photographs of any obvious injuries, fouled feathers or bands are also useful. Handle injured birds with great care because it is easy to hurt them more severely. An injured bird should be gently restrained and put in a shaded, well ventilated area for return to a wildlife veterinarian. Should a bird be dead, check carefully for leg bands, flipper bands or any scientific devices attached to the bird s legs, wings, tail or back. If such devices or packages are present, record any band numbers and inform the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Schemes (phone: ; or abbs@ environment.gov.au). Don t remove the devices or packages from the carcass. Put the carcass in a plastic bag, freeze it for return to port, and notify the local Parks and Wildlife staff on arrival. If the carcass is suitable, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (Hobart) or the Queen Victoria Museum (Launceston) will wish to gain it for display or research.

24 This project was funded by a Caring for our Country grant to TSIC ( BirdLife Tasmania produced this identification guide for local seabirds in conjunction with TSIC. It aims to provide fishers in Tasmanian State Waters with a handy means of identifying some of the more frequently observed seabirds around Tasmania should there be an interaction between a bird and the vessel or its gear. Details of the selected species diagnostic features, foraging areas, behaviour, breeding seasons and conservation status under Federal and Tasmanian legislation are provided. BirdLife Tasmania, GPO Box 68 Hobart TAS All images were provided by BirdLife Tasmania and are Eric J. Woehler, except Australasian Gannet Alan Fletcher and Short-tailed Shearwater Peter Vertigan. All images have been used with permission. Layout and design: Wynne Webber, BirdLife Tasmania Text: Eric Woehler, BirdLife Tasmania