Markham's storm petrel

The ornithologist Osbert Salvin first described Markham's storm petrel as Cymochorea markhami in 1883. The species is named after Albert Hastings Markham, a British explorer and naval officer who collected the type specimen off the coast of Peru. In 1931, the ornithologist James L. Peters thought the bird was the same species as Tristram's storm petrel (Oceanodroma tristrami), though the two were later distinguished by the size of their tarsi (the "lower leg" of a bird). Subsequently, Markham's storm petrel was for many years considered a member of the genus Oceanodroma. In 1972, the ornithologist Reginald Wagstaffe considered Tristram's storm petrel a subspecies of Markham's storm petrel, though later research recognized them as different species.

In 2004 and 2017, genetic analyses found that the genus Oceanodroma must be merged with the genus Hydrobates, because the only species of Hydrobates, the European storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus), was found to be nested within Oceanodroma (i.e., some species of Oceanodroma are more closely related to the European storm petrel than to some other species of Oceanodroma). The name Hydrobates was introduced by the ornithologist Friedrich Boie in 1822 and thus has priority over the name Oceanodroma, which was introduced by the ornithologist Ludwig Reichenbach in 1853. Therefore, all the species in Oceanodroma were transferred to Hydrobates, including Markham's storm petrel, which was accepted by the International Ornithologists' Union. The authors of the 2004 genetic study instead suggested that the species formerly in Oceanodroma should be split into smaller genera, placing Markham's storm petrel and its closest relatives in Cymochorea, but this has not been followed by subsequent studies.

A genetic analysis by Wallace and colleagues in 2017 found Markham's storm petrel to be the sister species of the black storm petrel. This was subsequently questioned by Alvaro Jaramillo, who argued that Wallace and colleagues mistook a specimen of the black storm petrel for Markham's storm petrel. Therefore, the relationships of Markham's storm petrel to other members of its genus remain unclear. The following cladogram shows the results of the 2017 study.

The northern storm petrel family, Hydrobatidae, is a group of seabirds that is highly adapted to marine environments. Hydrobates is currently recognized as the only genus; its eighteen species are predominantly found in the northern hemisphere. They differ from their southern counterparts, the Austral storm petrels (Oceanitidae), in having proportionally longer wings and shorter heads and legs. Fossils of storm petrels are rare, but have been found in Upper Miocene deposits in California; by this time, the Hydrobatidae had probably extensively radiated. Both storm petrel families are in danger globally, the IUCN classifying 48% of the species as "near threatened" or higher. Markham's storm petrel breeds in extreme habitats in the Atacama desert; this breeding ecology is shared with Elliot's storm petrel and the ringed storm petrel.

Separate subspecies have not been identified, but a 2019 study suggested that the difference in breeding time between populations could lead to allochronic speciation (speciation occurring due to different breeding times between populations of a species) in the future. A 2023 study found that there were three well-supported genetic clades of Markham's storm petrel, reflecting the Paracas, Arica, and Salar Grande colonies. The researcher Rodrigo Barros and colleagues described the bird as "one of the least known seabirds in the world" in 2019.

Markham's storm petrel is a large and slender storm petrel. As in other species of its genus, the wings are slender with tapering tips and a distinct wing bend at the carpus (wrist). The tail is deeply forked. The fresh plumage is black to sooty brown with a dull lead-gray gloss on its head, neck, and mantle. With wear, the plumage becomes browner overall. A distinct crescent-shaped, grayish bar runs diagonally over the upper side of the inner wing. The covert feathers above this bar are often brownish, while the primaries below it are often blackish, resulting in a characteristic three-colored wing pattern. The iris is brown and the bill, legs, and feet are black. The bill is shorter than in most related species, whereas the nasal tube on top of the bill is long, reaching to the mid-length of the beak. Adults have a wingspan between 49 and 54 cm (19 and 21 in) and measure between 21 and 23 cm (8.3 and 9.1 in) from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail. Body weight is 53 g (1.9 oz) on average. Sexes are alike without morphological differences.

Similar birds within its range include the black storm petrel (Hydrobates melania) and the dark variety of Leach's storm petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous). It is especially difficult to distinguish from the similar-sized black storm petrel, from which it differs in having a tarsus that is much shorter than the foot, and in that the gray bar on the upper side of the wing is more distinct and reaches closer to the leading edge of the wing. Markham's storm petrel also differs in its shorter neck and more angular head, and in the more pronounced forking of the tail. From Leach's storm petrel, it differs in its more pronounced tail forking, its longer wings, and larger size. Differences in flight patterns also aid in separating these species. Markham's storm petrel typically flies leisurely and often glides with intermittent shallow wingbeats, whereas the black storm petrel glides less often and tends to use deep wingbeats. Markham's storm petrel also typically flies greater than 1 m (3.3 ft) over the ocean surface, in contrast to the black storm-petrel, which usually flies at less than one meter. Leach's storm petrel generally uses deeper wingbeats and its flight is more bouncing.

The calls of Markham's storm petrel have been described as series of "purrs", "wheezes", and "chatters". Adults in nests were found to vocalize when a recording of Markham's storm petrel vocalizations was played at the entrance of the nest cavity.

Markham's storm petrel inhabits waters of the Humboldt Current in the Pacific Ocean off Ecuador, Peru, and northern Chile. As these birds spend most of their lives at sea, they are considered to be endemic to the Humboldt Current. The birds may venture as far north as southern Mexico (18°N); as far south as central Chile (30°S); and as far west as 118°W. Sightings have been reported from even farther north, off Baja California, but these might mistake Markham's storm petrel for the black storm petrel. A survey published in 2007 found that during austral autumn, the non-breeding season, the largest concentration of birds is just off the cost of Peru between Guayaquil and Lima. During spring, this concentration splits into two, with one concentration just off southern Peru and northern Chile, and a second concentration ca. 1,700 km (1,100 mi) to the west. Adults were more common within 200 km (120 mi) of the coast; subadults were more common at distances greater than 500 km (310 mi) from the coast. The birds were more common in the relatively shallow waters above the continental crust (the continental shelf) and less common in the deeper waters above the oceanic crust, and more common in areas where the surface water is cooler and saltier. As a highly pelagic species, the birds are only rarely seen from shore.

Despite its range, Markham's storm petrel only nests in Peru and Chile in the Atacama desert, in natural cavities in saltpeter (salt crusts rich in nitrates). The known colonies range in area from 33 to 6,100 ha (82 to 15,073 acres), with a density between 0.5 to 248 nests per hectare. They are typically located within 25 km (16 mi) of the sea, at an elevation of up to 1,080 m (3,540 ft). The nesting habitats are typically flat areas devoid of vegetation, but in 2021, a colony (Punta Patache) was discovered close to a lomas (fog oasis), being the first known colony associated with abundant vegetation. The location of a colony likely depends on favorable wind corridors where the birds can take advantage of sea-land winds when returning to the nest after nightfall and land-sea winds when returning to the sea before dawn.

Because the birds only return to their nests after nightfall and fly off again to sea before dawn, the detection of the breeding colonies is difficult, and their location had long been unknown. The first colony, on the Paracas Peninsula of Peru, was only reported in 1993 and is estimated at 2,300 pairs. Five more colonies, all in northern Chile, were discovered between 2013 and 2021. Two separate discoveries occurred in Chile in 2013: one of nesting sites south of the Acha valley in Arica Province and one of a recording of a bird singing. After further exploration in November 2013 based on the recording, populations of 34,684 nests in Arica, 20,000 nests in Salar Grande, and 624 nests in Pampa de la Perdiz were found in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, as reported in a 2019 study. This translated to about ninety-five percent of the known breeding population at the time. The authors of the study noted that there are two other areas in Chile that could hold colonies based on sightings of grounded fledglings; these would then be the southernmost colonies. The first breeding site of this species in south Peru was reported from Pampa Pie de Candela in 2023.

Like other storm petrels, Markham's storm petrel is probably monogamous. The reproductive cycle, from arrival at colonies to departure of fledglings, lasts about five months. Some pairs will begin breeding much earlier than others – for example, in three colonies (the Paracas, Arica, and Salar de Quiña colonies), some females lay their eggs in April, and others lay their eggs as late as August. This could lead to a ten-month reproductive season of the overall colony, contrasting with most other colony-forming birds in which breeding is much more synchronized. There are also large discrepancies between colonies: In three other colonies (the Caleta Buena, Salar Grande, and Salar de Navidad colonies), egg laying occurs much later, between November and probably February. The causes of these discrepancies are unknown.

The entries to the nest cavities measure 9.33 cm (3.67 in) in diameter on average, but range between 5.5 and 18 cm (2.2 and 7.1 in). The depth of the nest cavities was typically greater than 40 cm (16 in). Storm petrel nests produce a characteristic strong smell that helps researchers confirm that nest cavities are in use. Pairs produce one egg per season, which is laid on bare ground inside the cavity without any lining. The eggs are pure white without gloss, and measure 32.2 by 24.2 mm (1.27 by 0.95 in) on average. The egg is incubated by both parents in shifts of up to three days, during which the other partner is feeding at sea. The average incubation period was 47 days in Paracas. After the chick hatches, parents return to it with food every two to three days. At the Punta Patache colony, Markham's storm petrel tends to return to their nests after nightfall between 23:00 and 01:00 and leave between 04:00 and 06:00. Pairs of a colony do not cooperate in breeding.

After hatching, in Chile, the fledglings move towards the sea after a chick phase. Fledglings are either attracted to or disoriented by artificial lights, an occurrence common to burrow-nesting petrels. Molting in adults probably takes place between December and May, whereas juveniles probably molt several months earlier. At sea, the birds are typically encountered alone or in small flocks, sometimes with other storm petrel species. It usually does not accompany ships.

A 2007 study found that a sample of fifteen Markham's storm petrels had consumed the fish Diogenichthys laternatus and Vinciguerria lucetia, among other foods. Markham's storm petrel was found to have a lower dietary diversity than other small petrels, though dietary diversity was generally high among small petrels compared to other birds analyzed. A 2002 study found its main diet by mass consisted of fish (namely the Peruvian anchovy, Engraulis ringens), cephalopods (namely the octopus Japetella sp.), and crustaceans (namely the pelagic squat lobster, Pleuroncodes monodon); about ten percent of analyzed stomach contents suggest scavenging. Based on large variations in the types of food it consumes, and its tendency to scavenge, Markham's storm petrel appears to opportunistically forage near the surface of the ocean. The proportion of birds that feed or rest, compared to flying in transit, was significantly higher in austral autumn than spring according to the 2007 study.

Predators of adults probably include larger birds such as skuas and large gulls. Two species of fox, the Sechura fox and the South American gray fox, are important nest predators. Chicks are also known to be predated upon by birds of prey, dogs, and the ant Pheidole chilensis. A 2018 study found the ectoparasitical stick-tight flea (Hectopsylla psittaci) on two birds out of ten captured in Pampa de Chaca within the Arica y Parinacota Region. Both specimens were found in the lorum (the region between the eyes and nostrils) on each bird. The turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) served as a possible source for the transition between hosts, as the two were observed nesting in the same colony.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated the population of Markham's storm petrel in 2019 as between 150,000 and 180,000 individuals, between 100,000 and 120,000 of them being mature. The global breeding population has been estimated at about 58,000 pairs. A 2004 estimate placed the population at likely in excess of 30,000 individuals, a 2007 estimate placed it at between 806,500 in austral spring and 1,100,000 in austral autumn, and a 2012 estimate placed it at 50,000 overall individuals. The IUCN estimates that the population of Markham's storm petrel is in decline, although the rate of decline is unknown as it is unclear how many juveniles die of natural causes.

Despite its large population, in 2019, the IUCN listed Markham's storm petrel as near threatened. Since at least 2012, the bird has been classified as endangered in Chile, and, in 2018, the Chilean Ministry of the Environment (MMA) classified the bird as in danger of extinction. In Ecuador, as of 2019^[update], the species is classified as Near Endangered by Ecuador's Ministry of Environment.

Threats

The main threats to this species are habitat destruction by saltpeter mining as well as light pollution. Saltpeter mining directly destroys nest holes and has been responsible for the loss of much breeding habitat. Light pollution by the mines, nearby cities, and roads causes significant mortalities as the fledglings are attracted or disoriented by artificial lights on their first flight to sea. The exhausted birds collide with buildings or land close to the lights, which has been termed "fallout". These fallen birds are often predated upon by turkey vultures after dawn. A 2019 study estimates that at least 20,000 fledglings die each year due to artificial lights, which might represent one third of the fledglings of the entire population. One mining company reported that 3,300 fledglings had been grounded due to their lights over a three-month span.

Markham's storm petrel is also threatened by other impacts of human development in the Atacama desert. Reported threats include new construction and development especially of power lines, solar energy parks, wind farms, and roads, which may destroy breeding habitat; garbage from roads and landfills near the colonies, which can attract predators or be blown by wind to get stuck in and possibly block the entrances to nest holes; and military activities within the colonies. Bulldozer trails, dogs, and an encampment of road construction workers have been observed near nesting areas close to Arica. A 2023 study found that 16 of 25 fledglings and all adult Markham's storm petrels examined in Chile had human-made debris (such as plastic, rubber, and cotton) in their digestive tracts, which raised concern due to the known health impact of debris on other seabirds.

Markham's storm petrel is particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change because it relies on saltpeter deposits as breeding habitat: Since saltpeter deposits are limited in distribution, there will be relatively few alternative breeding areas should the currently occupied ones become unsuitable. A 2021 simulation showed that by 2080, changes in temperature would lead to a moderate reduction in potential breeding habitat under benign climatic conditions, and to a large reduction under severe climatic conditions. The authors cautioned that their simulation does not take into account habitat loss due to human development, so that the actual habitat loss can be expected to be even more severe.

Conservation efforts

Conservation efforts have been described as challenging, and as of 2021, initiatives were mostly funded by the American Bird Conservancy. For Chile, a 2021 study criticized that the existing environmental legislation is "weak, favours industrial productivity and is insufficient to preserve the storm-petrels of the Atacama Desert". Conservation efforts undertaken by the Chilean Ministry of Agriculture include the rescuing of fallen birds, including 2,000 individuals in 2018.

The 2021 study suggested six management priorities to protect the storm petrels of the Atacama desert, including formal protection of colonies; regulation of infrastructure projects and other human activities to prevent impact on colonies; stricter environmental assessments for planned development projects that might affect breeding areas; the reduction of light pollution and the mitigation of its impacts; international cooperation; and further research. Other authors likewise stressed the importance of more research for effective conservation efforts. Suggested research priorities include the discovery of all breeding colonies, the mapping of the flight routes between colonies and the sea, the mapping of feeding areas at sea to possibly mitigate the impact of overfishing, and the monitoring of population sizes.

• Vocalizations of Markham's storm petrel from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Macaulay Library
• Video of Markham's storm petrel from the Macaulay Library
• Photograph of a fallen juvenile due to lights of the Tenardita Mine from the Macaulay Library