Menu

Volume 54, No. 1

Volumes > 38 (2010-->)

Volumes 28-37 (2000-09)

Volumes 18-27 (1990-99)

Volumes 5-17 (1978-89) a.k.a 'Cormorant'

Search by author or title:

First GPS tracking of the Black Storm Petrel Hydrobates melania.


Authors

JORGE CRISTERNA1, GEMMA ABAUNZA2, JOEL AARÓN LÓPEZ-HERNÁNDEZ1, CECILIA SOLDATINI2*, YURI VLADIMIR ALBORES-BARAJAS1,3, FEDERICO DE PASCALIS4, & JACOPO G. CECERE4
1Departamento de Ciencias Marinas y Costeras, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México
2Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Baja California (CICESE) - Unidad Académica La Paz, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México *(csoldatini@cicese.mx)
3Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (SECIHTI), Ciudad de México, México
4Area Avifauna Migratrice, Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale (ISPRA), Ozzano dell'Emilia, Italy

Citation

Cristerna, J., Abaunza, G., López-Hernández, J. A., Soldatini, C., Albores-Barajas, Y. V., De Pascalis, F., & Cecere, J. G. (2026). First GPS tracking of the Black Storm Petrel Hydrobates melania. Marine Ornithology, 54(1), 125-130.
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.54.1.1681

Received 15 October 2025, accepted 12 November 2025

Date Published: 2026/04/15
Date Online: 2026/04/15
Download PDF
Key words: Black Storm Petrel, GPS tracking, flight performance, seabird, windscape

Abstract

The research reported here, conducted at Archipiélago de Espíritu Santo National Park, Baja California Sur, Mexico, establishes the first successful application of biologging on a Black Storm Petrel Hydrobates melania. Results yielded preliminary insights into this population's marine movements during nesting. The device used, weighing less than 3% of the bird's body mass, recorded a 181-km foraging trip. Subsequent trajectory analysis indicated navigation behavior that potentially was optimized to use crosswind assistance. The individual showed no weight loss post-retrieval, a finding that suggests this method is viable and unharmful, demonstrating the feasibility of using miniaturized tracking devices to unravel the ecology of this elusive seabird.

References


Bedolla-Guzmán, Y., Masello, J. F., Aguirre-Muñoz, A., Lavaniegos, B. E., Voigt, C. C., Gómez-Gutiérrez, J., Sánchez-Velasco, L., Robinson, C. J., & Quillfeldt, P. (2021). Year-round niche segregation of three sympatric Hydrobates storm-petrels from Baja California Peninsula, Mexico, Eastern Pacific. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 664, 207-225. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13645

BirdLife International. (2020). Hydrobates melania (e.T22698557A168981163). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved February 20, 2025, from https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T22698557A168981163.en

Bolton, M. (2021). GPS tracking reveals highly consistent use of restricted foraging areas by European Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus breeding at the largest UK colony: Implications for conservation management. Bird Conservation International, 31(1), 35-52. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270920000374

Carmona, R., Guzmán, J., Ramírez, S., & Fernández, G. (1994). Breeding waterbirds of La Paz Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Western Birds, 25(3), 151-157. https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/western_birds/vol25/iss3/5

Carneiro, A. P. B., Dias, M. P., Clark, B. L., Pearmain, E. J., Handley, J., Hodgson, A. R., Croxall, J. P., Phillips, R. A., Oppel, S., Morten, J. M., Lascelles, B., Cunningham, C., Taylor, F. E., Miller, M. G. R., Taylor, P. R., Bernard, A., Grémillet, D., & Davies, T. E. (2024). The BirdLife Seabird Tracking Database: 20 years of collaboration for marine conservation. Biological Conservation, 299, Article 110813. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110813

Collins, S. M., Hedd, A., Fifield, D. A., Wilson, D. R., & Montevecchi, W. A. (2022). Foraging paths of breeding Leach's Storm-Petrels in relation to offshore oil platforms, breeding stage, and year. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9, Article 816659. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.816659

De Pascalis, F., Pala, D., Pisu, D., Morinay, J., Benvenuti, A., Spano, C., Ruiu, A., Serra, L., Rubolini, D., & Cecere, J. G. (2021). Searching on the edge: Dynamic oceanographic features increase foraging opportunities in a small pelagic seabird. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 668, 121-132. https://www.int-res.com/abstracts/meps/v668/meps13726

De Pascalis, F., Pisu, D., Pala, D., Benvenuti, A., Visalli, F., Carlon, E., Serra, L., Rubolini, D., & Cecere, J. G. (2022). Identification of marine Important Conservation Areas for Mediterranean Storm Petrels Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis breeding in Sardinia, Italy. Marine Ornithology, 50(2), 205-210. https://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.50.2.1490

Everett, W. T. (1991). Breeding biology of the Black Storm-Petrel at Islas Los Coronados, Baja California, Mexico (Publication No. 34) [Master of science thesis, University of San Diego]. Digital USD. https://doi.org/10.22371/02.1991.001

Everett, W. T., Bedolla Guzmán, Y., & Ainley, D. G. (2021). Black Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates melania), version 1.1. In P. G. Rodewald (Ed.), Birds of the world. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.bkspet.01.1

Freitas, C. (2022). argosfilter: Argos Locations Filter (Version 0.70) [R package]. CRAN contributed packages. https://doi.org/10.32614/CRAN.package.argosfilter

Grange, S. K. (2014, June 16). Technical note: Averaging wind speeds and directions. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.3349.2006

Hijmans, R. J. (2022). geosphere: Spherical Trigonometry (Version 1.5-18) [R package]. CRAN contributed packages. https://doi.org/10.32614/CRAN.package.geosphere

Howell, S. N. G., & Zufelt, K. (2019). Oceanic birds of the world: A photo guide. Princeton University Press.

Kemp, M. U., Shamoun-Baranes, J., van Loon, E. E., McLaren, J. D., Dokter, A. M., & Bouten, W. (2012). Quantifying flow-assistance and implications for movement research. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 308, 56-67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2012.05.026

Kemp, M. U., van Loon, E. E., Shamoun-Baranes, J., & Bouten, W. (2012). RNCEP: Global weather and climate data at your fingertips. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 3(1), 65-70. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2041-210X.2011.00138.x

Medrano, F., Hernández-Montoya, J., Saldanha, S., Bedolla-Guzmán, Y., & González-Solís, J. (2024). Contrasting migratory ecology of two threatened and allochronic storm-petrels breeding in the Mexican Pacific. Endangered Species Research, 54, 331-339. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01344

Medrano, F., Saldanha, S., Hernández-Montoya, J., Bedolla-Guzmán, Y., & González-Solís, J. (2022). Foraging areas of nesting Ainley's Storm Petrel Hydrobates cheimomnestes. Marine Ornithology, 50(2), 125-127. https://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.50.2.1478

Norma Oficial Mexicana, NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2019, Protección ambiental—Especies nativas de México de flora y fauna silvestres—Categorías de riesgo y especificaciones para su inclusión, exclusión o cambio—Lista de especies en riesgo (Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales), Diario Oficial de la Federación [DOF] 14-11-2019 (Mex.). Retrieved September 20, 2025, from https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5578808&fecha=14/11/2019

Onley, D., & Scofield, P. (2007). Albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters of the world. Christopher Helm.

Oppel, S., Bolton, M., Carneiro, A. P. B., Dias, M. P., Green, J. A., Masello, J. F., Phillips, R. A., Owen, E., Quillfeldt, P., Beard, A., Bertrand, S., Blackburn, J., Boersma, P. D., Borges, A., Broderick, A. C., Catry, P., Cleasby, I., Clingham, E., Creuwels, J., . . . Croxall, J. (2018). Spatial scales of marine conservation management for breeding seabirds. Marine Policy, 98, 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2018.08.024

Pennycuick, C. J. (2008). Modelling the flying bird (Vol. 5). Elsevier Academic Press.

Rotger, A., Sola, A., Tavecchia, G., & Sanz-Aguilar, A. (2020). Foraging far from home: GPS-tracking of Mediterranean Storm-petrels Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis reveals long-distance foraging movements. Ardeola, 68(1), 3-16. https://doi.org/10.13157/arla.68.1.2021.ra1

Secretaría de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. (2014). Programa de Manejo Parque Nacional exclusivamente la zona marina del Archipiélago de Espíritu Santo. Retrieved September 20, 2025, from https://simec.conanp.gob.mx/pdf_libro_pm/141_libro_pm.pdf

Shamoun-Baranes, J., Liechti, F., & Vansteelant, W. M. G. (2017). Atmospheric conditions create freeways, detours and tailbacks for migrating birds. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 203(6-7), 509-529. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-017-1181-9

Sibley, D. A. (2014). The Sibley guide to birds (2nd ed.). Alfred A. Knopf.

Spear, L. B., & Ainley, D. G. (1997). Flight behaviour of seabirds in relation to wind direction and wing morphology. Ibis, 139(2), 221-233. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1997.tb04620.x

Spear, L. B., & Ainley, D. G. (2007). Storm-petrels of the eastern Pacific Ocean: Species assembly and diversity along marine habitat gradients. Ornithological Monographs, 62, 1-77.

Thorne, L. H., Clay, T. A., Phillips, R. A., Silvers, L. G., & Wakefield, E. D. (2023). Effects of wind on the movement, behavior, energetics, and life history of seabirds. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 723, 73-117. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14417

Winkler, D. W., Billerman, S. M., & Lovette, I. J. (2020). Northern storm-petrels (Hydrobatidae), version 1.0. In S. M. Billerman, B. K. Keeney, P. G. Rodewald, & T. S. Schulenberg (Eds.), Birds of the world. Cornell Lab of Ornithology. https://doi.org/10.2173/bow.hydrob1.01

Search by author or title:

Browse previous volumes:

Volumes > 38 (2010-->)

Volumes 28-37 (2000-09)

Volumes 18-27 (1990-99)

Volumes 5-17 (1978-89) a.k.a 'Cormorant'