Observations of five little-known tubenoses from Melanesia in January 2017

Abstract

We present observations of five little-known tubenoses made during a pelagic expedition from Vanuatu to New Ireland, Melanesia, in January 2017: Beck's Petrel Pseudobulweria becki, an all-dark Pseudobulweria, Magnificent Petrel Pterodroma (brevipes) magnificens, Vanuatu Petrel P. (cervicalis) occulta and Heinroth's Shearwater Puffinus heinrothi. Our observations provide some new insights into the following issues: Beck's Petrel - timing of breeding and search for the breeding grounds; all-dark Pseudobulweria - possible existence of an undescribed taxon in seas north-east of Papua New Guinea; Magnificent Petrel - sightings consistent with the argument for a distinct population; Vanuatu Petrel - variation in the underwing pattern and implications for its separation from White-necked Petrel Pterodroma (c.) cervicalis; and Heinroth's Shearwater - timing of breeding and search for the breeding grounds.