Results of Banding White-faced Storm-Petrels Pelagodroma marina at Mud Islands, Victoria
| Posted: |
02/10/2021 |
| Author(s): |
G. F. Gaynor, P. W. Menkhorst, T. W. Pescott |
White-faced Storm-Petrels
Pelagodroma marina were banded almost annually at
Mud Islands between 1955 and 1980. Bands were applied to fledglings removed from
burrows and to free-flying birds captured in mist nets. Two percent of the 12 652 banded
birds have been recovered, mostly at Mud Islands during subsequent breeding seasons.
Recoveries were heavily biased by the type of bands used; aluminium bands
lasted only 3 or 4 years. Half the known-age birds recovered have been found dead or
dying around Port Phillip Bay within 4 weeks of their presumed fledging dates. The
oldest known-age bird was 16 years when last recaptured. Almost all recoveries of birds
banded when free-flying were from Mud Islands in subsequent breeding seasons. The
few long-distance recoveries are considered in relation to the supposed migratory routes
and low probability of recovering banded storm-petrels. Pre-breeding birds probably first
return to their natal colony at 3 years old and probably return annually thereafter, although
some birds have been recovered from the nearby South Channel Island colony.
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