NEWELL' S MANX SHEARWATER (AO) Puffinus puffinus newelli (Henshaw) 



Order: PROCELLARIIFORMES Family: PROCELLARIIDAE 



Distinguishing characteristics : A small shearwater (12-15 in.) glossy black above, 

 pure white below. 



Present distribution : Breeds on Kauai and probably other high Hawaiian Islands. 

 Observed at sea in central Pacific Ocean. Road killed specimens found each year on Oahu. 



Form er distribution : Probably bred on all of the main Hawaiian Islands . 



Status: Vulnerable because of very restricted breeding area. Known to breed only on 

 mountain ridges of Kauai, Hawaii, but no evidence that it is seriously depleted at present. 



Estimated numbers : Unknown, but probably a breeding population in the low thousands. 

 About 500 estimated on one known breeding area in Makeleha Mountains, Kauai in 1967. 



Breeding rate in the wild : One egg annually . Nesting success unknown . 



Reasons for decline : Not known to be declining on Kauai. Reasons on other islands 

 unknown. Possibly exterminated as nester on other islands by mongooses, pigs, dogs, rats, 

 and other predators . Attraction to lights causes considerable mortality from collisions with 

 cars and lighted towers . 



Protective measures already taken : Protected by Federal and State law . Surveys and 

 research studies in progress . Known nesting areas delineated and information furnished 

 public agencies and private owners of land on which they are located. 



Measures proposed : Continue exclusion of mongooses from Kauai. Preservation of natural 

 environment including establishment of needed refuges and sanctuaries. Control predators 

 where needed. Control of feral grazing animals. Intensify ecological and life history 

 research. 



Number in captivity : None known . 



Breeding potential in captivity : Unknown . 



References : 



Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife Administrative reports . 



King, W. B. , and P. J. Gould. 1967. The status of Newell' s race of the Manx 



shearwater. The Living Bird, 6:163-186. 

 Richardson, F. 1955. Reappearance of Newell's shearwater in Hawaii. Auk 72:412. 

 , and J. Bowles. 1964. A survey of the birds of Kauai, Hawaii. 



Bernice P. Bishop Mus . Bull. 227:19. 

 Sincock, J. L. and G. E. Swedberg. 1969. Rediscovery of the nesting grounds of 



Newell's Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus newelli ), with initial observations. 



Condor, 71:69-71. 

 Warner, R. E. 1968. The role of introduced diseases in the extinction of the 



endemic Hawaiian avifauna . Condor, 70:101-120. 



100 



