Oceanodroma leucorhoa
VU

Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Local name: Leach’s Storm-petrel

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leach's_storm_petrel

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

Leach's Storm-petrel breeds on remote oceanic islands with suitable soil for burrow excavation, particularly on grassy clifftops and slopes. Outside the breeding season, they inhabit open ocean waters, foraging over deep pelagic zones where they feed on surface zooplankton and small fish.

MARINE· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

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 across multiple regions. 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 ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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