Submission No 224: Matsudaira’s Storm Petrel Oceanodroma matsudairae; c. 33 Miles NNW of Lacepede Islands, W.A. 9 November 1980.

Verdict: Not Accepted

As with case 223, this is another old record, involving the sighting of a bird about 33 Nautical Miles NNW of the Lacepede Islands, W.A. in grid block 160 S. - 1210 E. The bird was seen in fine calm conditions from the Fisheries Research Vessel MV "Soela" on 9 November 1980, during a seabird survey. The bird was noted to be flying low over the water maintaining a straight and direct course. It passed across the bow of the ship allowing reasonable views of the dorsal features but rather poor views of the ventral aspects.

Once again, the supportive evidence owing to the age of the record is understandably limited. The bird was described as being ‘between 1.5 to 1.8 times longer than Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus and completely different in shape, being long-bodied, long-winged and particularly long tailed. The tail was held closed and tapered towards the tip so no fork was visible. The wings were tern like and angled at the carpal. The plumage wholly blackish-brown unrelieved by any pattern (i.e. no pale carpel bar). Except for a pale flash at the base of the primaries. The bill was short and thin, not stubby’.

In summary committee members were divided in their opinion. Those voting in favour did so with some reservations given the brevity of the factual detail and those voting against, did so for similar reasons. It was felt that the likelihood of this record being a Matsudaira’s Storm Petrel was high given that this species is generally considered to be a regular vagrant/visitor to NW Australia (pers. obs.). However, without a more complete description of features, including a note of the forked tail and pale carpel bar, it was not possible to accept the record.

References and Bibliography

• Cubitt, M.G. 1995. Swinhoe’s Storm-petrels at Tynemouth: New to Britain and Ireland. British Birds 88: 342-390.
• Force, M. 1990. Comments on "The Chalice Petrel". British Birds 90: 339-342.
• Gantlett, S. 1988. Matsudaira’s Storm Petrel off Cornwall: A new British Bird. Birding World 1: 285.
• Young, S.A. & King, J.R. 1990. ‘The Chalice petrel’ revisited. British Birds 90: 329-335.
• S Marchant & P.J.Higgins 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds Vol 1 (part A). Oxford University Press. Oxford.
• Harrison P. 1987. Seabirds of The World: A Photographic Guide. Christopher Helm. Bromley.
• Serventy, D.L. et al. 1971. The Handbook of Australian Seabirds. A.H. & A. W. Reed. Sydney.
• Swash, A. 1988. Matsudaira’s and Swinhoe’s Storm Petrels. Birding World 1: 405.

Tony Palliser
Chairman Birds Australia Rarities Committee (BARC)