Leach's Storm-petrel
VU

Leach's Storm-petrel

Hydrobates leucorhous

DecliningNTEUNTEU

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Leach's Storm-petrel faces severe threats at breeding colonies from introduced predators, particularly rats and cats, which devastate ground-nesting populations on islands. Climate change is altering ocean productivity patterns, affecting the availability of zooplankton and small fish that comprise their diet. Light pollution from coastal development disrupts their nocturnal behavior, causing disorientation and increased mortality during breeding season dispersal.

Threat summary

Habitat

Marine oceanic· majorMarine neritic· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryLegislation

Other threatened species in HYDROBATIDAE

Guadalupe Storm-petrelCR

Guadalupe Storm-petrel

Hydrobates macrodactylus

Unknown
EN

Townsend's Storm-petrel

Hydrobates socorroensis

Declining
VU

Ainley's Storm-petrel

Hydrobates cheimomnestes

Stable
EN

Ashy Storm-petrel

Hydrobates homochroa

Declining

Threatened in Brazil

Striped SmoothhoundCR

Striped Smoothhound

Mustelus fasciatus

Declining
VU

Mussismilia hispida

Declining
VU

Myrcia carioca

Declining
Brasilia TapaculoEN

Brasilia Tapaculo

Scytalopus novacapitalis

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Leach's Storm-petrel classified as Vulnerable?
Leach's Storm-petrel is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Leach's Storm-petrel faces severe threats at breeding colonies from introduced predators, particularly rats and cats, which devastate ground-nesting populations on islands. Climate change is altering ocean productivity patterns, affecting the availability of zooplankton and small fish that comprise their diet. Light pollution from coastal development disrupts their nocturnal behavior, causing disorientation and increased mortality during breeding season dispersal.
Where does Leach's Storm-petrel live?
Leach's Storm-petrel occurs in Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, and Norway (plus 3 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Leach's Storm-petrel?
The main threats to Leach's Storm-petrel are 11.4, and 9.3.4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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