New Zealand Shearwater (Pterodroma axillaris) Pycroft' s Petrel is a medium-sized petrel.
The New Zealand Shearwater drifts at sea during the off-breeding season, feeding on squid, small fish and mollusks. Return to shore only during breeding season. The New Zealand Shearwater nests in the canopy. A bird's nest is made of leaves. The female lays one egg between December and January. The chicks moult between May and June.
The New Zealand Shearwater population is estimated to be around 1,000 individuals and is currently endangered. When humans colonized the Chatham Islands, they were restricted to the southeast island by hunting, predatory invasive species, and loss of forest habitat. In addition, they have to compete with the shearwater for nesting sites. Conservation began in earnest in the late 1980s. The initial focus was on identifying the nests of the New Zealand Shearwater and the causes of its declining reproductive rate. When it was discovered that their reproductive rate was affected by the Shearwater, measures were introduced to protect their nests and chicks. In 2005-2006, 83% of the chicks from 155 known breeding pairs molted successfully. The chicks have also been moved to places where there are no predators.
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