Ecology of the Black-capped Petrel

A gadfly petrel endemic to the Caribbean, the Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) has a fragmented and declining population, and is considered endangered throughout its range (IUCN). Population estimates based on at-sea observations range from 2,000 to 4,000 individuals, with a fragmented breeding population estimated at 500 to 1,000 pairs. The only confirmed breeding areas are located on Hispaniola. The expansive marine range of the species exposes it to many conservation threats at sea including fisheries activity, offshore energy development, marine pollution including mercury bioaccumulation, and climate change. The current lack of information on the foraging ecology of the species, however, limits our understanding of its [...]