Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)

Slightly larger than a sparrow, the Storm Petrel is a particularly active procellariiform bird that nests in hollows and caves along isolated and inaccessible coastlines.            This species was found in Pianosa through acoustic attraction of an individual in 2012 and of two individuals in the reproductive period of 2013. It was believed to be nesting in Montecristo in the 50s and to have become extinct likely because of rats (eliminated by the LIFE Montecristo 2010 Project), but two individuals were spotted in 2014. This small bird is much more vulnerable than the previous two procellariiform birds, since rodents prey on both nestlings and adults.

Comments are closed