are there extreme fluctuations in AO (> 1 order magnitude)?
No
number of extant locations
31
specify trend in # locations (decline, stable, increasing, unknown)
Stable
are there extreme fluctuations in # locations (>1 order of magnitude)?
No
habitat trend: specify declining, stable, increasing or unknown trend in area, extent or quality of habitat
Number of colonies remains constant; area of colonies declining where predators present
Population Information
generation time (average age of parents in the population) (indicate years, months, days, etc.)
About 7-8 years
number of mature individuals (capable of reproduction) in the Canadian population (or, specify a range of plausible values)
512 000
total population trend: specify declining, stable, increasing or unknown trend in number of mature individuals
decreasing
if decline, % decline over the last/next 10 years or 3 generations, whichever is greater (or specify if for shorter time period)
About 18% from 1980s to 1990s at censused colonies
are there extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals (> 1 order of magnitude)?
No
is the total population severely fragmented (most individuals found within small and relatively isolated (geographically or otherwise) populations between which there is little exchange, i.e., ≤ 1 successful migrant / year)?
No; exchange between colonies in the Queen Charlotte Islands
list each population and the number of mature individuals in each
Not applicable
specify trend in number of populations (decline, stable, increasing, unknown)
Not applicable
are there extreme fluctuations in number of populations (>1 order of magnitude)?
Not applicable
Threats (actual or imminent threats to populations or habitats)
Introduced mammalian predators; rats or raccoons (primary threat)
Disturbance and habitat destruction
Oil exploration
Oceanographic changes
Competition/impact commercial fisheries
Rescue Effect (immigration from an outside source): Moderate
does species exist elsewhere (in Canada or outside)?
Yes
status of the outside population(s)?
Uncertain, but likely declining in Alaska and Asia
is immigration known or possible?
Probable
would immigrants be adapted to survive here?
Yes
is there sufficient habitat for immigrants here?
Yes, but introduced predators may be limiting available breeding sites
Quantitative Analysis
Not done
Current Status
COSEWIC: Special Concern
Recommended Status and Reasons for Designation
Status: Special Concern
Alpha-numeric code:
Reasons for Designation: This is a ground nesting seabird threatened by mammalian predators that have been introduced to its breeding islands. Predators have been removed from some islands but populations have not increased as a result. About half of the world population nests in the Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia; the Canadian population is thought to be declining.
Applicability of Criteria
Criterion A (Declining Total Population): not applicable; current declines poorly measured and unlikely to be large enough
Criterion B (Small Distribution, and Decline or Fluctuation): not applicable; distribution too large
Criterion C (Small Total Population Size and Decline): not applicable; population too large
Criterion D (Very Small Population or Restricted Distribution): not applicable; population and area of occupancy both too large