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Department of the Environment and Heritage, July 2003
The Round Island Petrel has been listed as a threatened species under Commonwealth environmental law (the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
In Australia, this species has only been recorded on North Keeling Island, where it may breed. There is concern about the future survival of the Round Island Petrel in Australia.
The Round Island Petrel is a medium-sized seabird, which has a brown head with white patches on either side of a black beak and a white chin and throat. The feathers on its body and the top of its wings are grey-brown and the breast is white. The wings are grey and white on the underside. It has light pink legs, black toes and black edges on its webbed feet. Male and female birds are similar in appearance and young birds resemble adults. The birds are approximately 35cm long and have a wingspan of 80-100cm.
The Round Island Petrel is found in Australia only on North Keeling Island in the Indian Ocean. Outside of Australia, the species breeds on Round Island near Mauritius in the Indian Ocean and on two islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. They nest in sandy areas on the ground, sheltered under shrubs. Their breeding season is usually between February and July.
The Round Island Petrel usually only visits land to breed. At sea, they generally glide close to the surface of the water, only occasionally flapping their wings. They take food from near the surface of the sea. Generally the birds are quiet when flying over water, but during breeding times when they fly over the colonies on land, they make a rapidly repeated high-pitched ki ki ki ki call.
The Round Island Petrel was listed as threatened under Commonwealth environmental law because there is concern about its future survival. Although North Keeling Island is a National Park, which provides some protection for the birds, the population of Round Island Petrels is so small that the birds are at risk from disturbances caused by people visiting the Island and through the accidental introduction of predators. The listing ensures that any activity that might have a significant impact on the birds must be considered and approved by the Commonwealth.
The listing will also allow for the development of a recovery plan that will help look after the birds that nest on the Island. Recovery plans are developed in consultation with all interested people to ensure that all important issues are considered.
For further advice on any of the information contained in this Information sheet, please contact Parks Australia North.
Parks Australia North
Government Conservator
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Indian Ocean
Ph: 08 9162 6678
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