Articles

Breeding seabirds of the Sicilian islands: distribution and abundance within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring program

Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Published: 10 December 2025
263
Views
241
Downloads

Authors

Four marine bird species breeding in the circum-Sicilian islands were monitored during 2021-2024 with the aim of updating data on distribution, breeding success, and population size for the EU Marine Strategy Directive (MSFD 2008/56/CE). Counts allowed to assess population sizes, in terms of breeding pairs, for Audouin’s Gull (91-160), Scopoli’s Shearwater (14,825-15,925), Yelkouan Shearwater (610-720), and Mediterranean Storm Petrel (3,030-3,050). However, for the latter two species, data could provide underestimates, as some breeding sites, located in poorly accessible areas, require further research.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

Ajola G., 1959 – Gli uccelli dell’isola di Ustica. Rivista italiana di Ornitologia, 29: 89-128.
Albores-Barajas Y. V., Massa B., Lo Cascio P. & Soldatini C., 2012 – Night surveys and smell, a mixed method to detect colonies of storm petrel Hydrobates pelagicus. Avocetta, 36: 95-96.
Albores-Barajas Y. V., Soldatini C. & Ientile R., 2008 – Recolonization of abandoned breeding grounds by storm petrels in Sicily. Oryx, 42: 1-6.
Anderson D. W. & Keith J. O., 1980 – The human influence on seabird nesting success: conservation implications. Biological Conservation, 18: 65-80. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0006-3207(80)90067-1
Baccetti N., Capizzi D., Corbi F., Massa B., Nissardi S., Spano G. & Sposimo P., 2009 – Breeding shearwaters on Italian islands: population size, island selection and co-existence with their main alien predator, the Black rat. Rivista italiana Ornitologia, 78: 83-100.
Baccetti N., Capizzi D. & Sposimo P., 2016 – Rat eradications on Italian islands for the conservation of breeding seabirds. In Conservation of marine and coastal birds in the Mediterranean. Proc. UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA Symposium (Hammamet, 20-22 February 2015). Yésou P., Sultana J., Walmsley J. & Azafzaf H. (eds.) (pp. 106-113).
Borg J. J., Canale E. D., Massa B. & Tagliavia M., 2014 – The breeding pelagic birds (Procellariiformes) of the Sicilian Channel. In Reti Ecologiche Transfrontaliere ReMaSi. Bivona: ICCCE (pp. 183-233).
Burger J. & Gochfeld M., 2004 – Marine birds as sentinels of environmental pollution. EcoHealth, 1: 263-274. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-004-0096-4
Buxton R. T. & Jones I. L., 2012 – Measuring nocturnal seabird activity and status using acoustic recording devices: applications for island restoration. Journal of Field Ornithology, 83: 47-60. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1557-9263.2011.00355.x
Capizzi D., Sposimo P., Sozio G., Petrassi F., Gotti C., Raganella Pelliccioni E. & Baccetti N., 2019 – Black rat eradication on Italian islands: planning forward by looking backward. In Island invasives: scaling up to meet the challenge. Occasional Paper SSC no. 62. Veitch C.R., Clout M. N., Martin A. R., Russell J. C. & West C. J. (eds.) Gland: IUCN (pp. 15-20).
Cianchetti-Benedetti M., Becciu P., Massa B. & Dell’Omo G., 2018 – Conflicts between touristic recreational activities and breeding shearwaters: short-term effect of artificial light and sound on chick weight. European Journal Wildlife Research, 64: 19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-018-1178-x
Corso A., Janni O., Larsson H. & Gustin M., 2009 – Primi dati su una nuova colonia di Berta minore Puffinus yelkouan di rilevanza internazionale. Alula, 16: 78-80.
Croxall J. P., Butchart S. H. M., Lascelles B., Stattersfield A. J., Sullivan B., Symes A. & Taylor P., 2012 – Seabird conservation status, threats and priority actions: a global assessment. Bird Conservation International, 22: 1-34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270912000020
Dell’Omo G., 2020 – State of the knowledge on the Scopoli’s Shearwater Calonectris diomedea breeding on Linosa Island (Pelagie Archipelago, Sicilian Channel). In Life on islands. 1. Biodiversity in Sicily and surrounding islands. Studies dedicated to Bruno Massa. La Mantia T., Badalamenti E., Carapezza A., Lo Cascio P. & Troia A. (eds.). Palermo: Danaus (pp. 331-338).
Di Gangi A., Roatti V., Ottoveggio F., Massa B. & Dell’Omo G., 2024 – Population size and breeding success of the Scopoli’s Shearwater on Lampione Islet. Avocetta, 48. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30456/avo.2024113
Dias M. P., Martin R., Pearmain E. J., Burfield I. J., Small C., Phillips R. A., Yates O., Lascelles B., Borboroglu P. G. & Croxall J. P., 2019 – Threats to seabirds: a global assessment. Biological Conservation, 237: 525-537. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.06.033
Grémillet D. & Boulinier T., 2009 – Spatial ecology and conservation of seabirds facing global climate change: a review. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 391: 121-137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps08212
Ientile R., Linares A. & Brogna F., 2016 – First breeding colony of Audouin’s Gull Larus audouinii in Sicily, characteristics and its origin. Avocetta, 40: 71-76. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30456/avo.2016203
Ientile R. & Massa B., 2008 – Uccelli (Aves). In Atlante della biodiversità della Sicilia: vertebrati terrestri. Studi e Ricerche 6. Palermo: ARPA Sicilia (pp. 115-235).
Jodice P. G. & Suryan R. M., 2010 – The transboundary nature of seabird ecology. In Landscape-scale conservation planning. Trembulak S. C. & Baldwin R. F. (eds.). Amsterdam: Springer (pp. 139-165). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-9575-6_8
Jones H. P., Tershy B. R., Zavaleta E. S., Croll D. A., Keitt B. S., Finkelstein M. E. & Howald G. R., 2008 – Severity of the effects of invasive rats on seabirds: a global review. Conservation Biology, 22: 16-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2007.00859.x
Karpouzi V. S., Watson R. & Pauly D., 2007 – Modelling and mapping resource overlap between seabirds and fisheries on a global scale: a preliminary assessment. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 343: 87-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/meps06860
Karris G., Xirouchakis S., Grivas C., Voulgaris M. D., Sfenthourakis S. & Giokas S., 2017 – Estimating the population size of Scopoli’s Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea) frequenting the Strofades islands (Ionian Sea, western Greece) by raft counts and surveys of breeding pairs. North-Western Journal of Zoology, 13: 101-108.
Krapp F., 1970 – Vogelbeobachtungen während des Frühjahrszuges 1969 aud den Ägadischen Inseln. Ornithologische Beobachter, 67: 280-294.
La Mantia T., Lo Valvo F. & Massa B., 2002 – Gli uccelli. In Storia naturale delle Isole Pelagie. Corti C., Lo Cascio P., Masseti M. & Pasta S. (eds.). Palermo: L’Epos (pp. 89-105).
Lewison R., Oro D., Godley B. J., Underhill L., Bearhop S., Wilson R. P., Ainley D., Arcos J. M., Boersma P. D., Borboroglu P. G., Boulinier T., Frederiksen M., Genovart M., Gonzáles-Solis J., Green J. A., Grémillet D., Hamer K. C., Hilton G. M., Hyrenbach K. D., Martínez-Abraím A., Montevecchi A., Phillips R. A., Ryan P. G., Sagar P., Sydeman W. J., Wanless S., Watanuki Y., Weimerskirch H. & Yorio P., 2012 – Research priorities for seabirds: improving conservation and management in the 21st century. Endangered Species Research, 17: 93-121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00419
Lo Cascio P., 2007 – Nuovi dati sulla nidificazione di Hydrobates pelagicus nell’Arcipelago Eoliano (Tirreno meridionale). Rivista italiana Ornitologia, 77: 59-60.
Lo Cascio P., 2016 – Marine birds of the Aeolian Archipelago, South Tyrrhenian Sea: present status and conservation. In Conservation of marine and coastal birds in the Mediterranean. Proc. UNEP-MAP-RAC/SPA Symposium (Hammamet, 20-22 February 2015). Yésou P., Sultana J., Walmsley J. & Azafzaf H. (eds.) (pp. 96-99).
Lo Cascio P. & Pasta S., 2012 – Lampione, a paradigmatic case of Mediterranean island biodiversity. Biodiversity Journal, 3: 311-330.
Lo Valvo M., Massa B. & Sarà M., 1993 – Uccelli e paesaggio in Sicilia alle soglie del terzo millennio. Il Naturalista Siciliano, 17: 1-375.
Long R., 2011 – The Marine Strategy Framework Directive: a new European approach to the regulation of the marine environment, marine natural resources and marine ecological services. Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law, 29: 1-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646811.2011.11435256
Massa B., 1985 – Atlas Faunae Siciliae. Aves. Il Naturalista Siciliano, 9: 1-274.
Massa B., 2009 – A newly discovered colony of European Storm-petrels in Italy. British Birds, 102: 353-354.
Massa B., Cusimano C.A., Fontana P. & Brizio C., 2022 – New Unexpected Species of Acheta (Orthoptera, Gryllidae) from the Italian Volcanic Island of Pantelleria. Diversity, 14, 802. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/d14100802
Massa B. & La Mantia T., 2015 – Conservazione della principale popolazione europea di berta maggiore mediterranea Calonectris diomedea e altri uccelli pelagici nelle isole Pelagie. In Atti del XVII Convegno Italiano di Ornitologia (Trento, 11-15 settembre 2013). Pedrini P., Rossi F., Bogliani G., Serra L. & Sustersic A. (eds.). Trento: MUSE (pp. 127-128).
Massa B., Lo Cascio P., Ientile R., Canale E.D. & La Mantia T., 2015 – Gli uccelli delle isole circumsiciliane. Naturalista siciliano, 39: 105-373.
Moltoni E., 1970 – Gli uccelli ad oggi riscontrati nelle isole Lampedusa, Linosa e Lampione (Isole Pelagie, Canale di Sicilia, Mar Mediterraneo). Rivista italiana Ornitologia, 40: 77-283.
Moltoni E. & Frugis S., 1967 – Gli uccelli delle Isole Eolie (Messina, Sicilia). Rivista italiana Ornitologia, 37: 91-234.
Montevecchi W. A., 2002 – Interactions between fisheries and seabirds. In Biology of marine birds. Schreiber E. A. & Burger J. (eds.). Boca Raton: CRC Press (pp. 527-558). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420036305.ch16
Oppel S., Hervías-Parejo S., Oliveira N., Pipa T., Silva C., Geraldes P., Goh M., Immler E. & McKown M., 2014 – Estimating population size of a nocturnal burrow-nesting seabird using acoutic monitoring and habitat mapping. Nature Conservation, 7: 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.7.6890
Paleczny M., Hammill E., Karpouzi V. & Pauly D., 2015 – Population trend of the world’s monitored seabirds, 1950-2010. PLoS One, 10: e0129342. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0129342
Pezzo F., Zenatello M., Melega L. & Baccetti N., 2024 – Programma di monitoraggio uccelli marini. In Schede metodologiche utilizzate nei programmi di monitoraggio del secondo ciclo della Direttiva Strategia Marina (D.M. 2 febbraio 2021). Roma: Pubblicazioni tecniche SNPA (pp. 22-53).
Rannisi G., Murabito L., Gustin M. & Massa B., 2013 – Impact of the predation of the Black Rat, Rattus rattus, on the breeding success of Cory’s Shearwater, Calonectris diomedea, on Linosa Island (Sicily, Italy). Rivista italiana Ornitologia, 82: 140-142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2012.135
Rush G. P., Clarke L. E., Stone M. & Wood M. G., 2018 – Can drones count gulls? Minimal disturbance and semiautomated image processing with an unmanned aerial vehicle for colony-nesting seabirds. Ecology and Evolution, 8: 12344-12334. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4495
Soldatini C., Albores-Barajas Y. V., Tagliavia M., Massa B., Fusani L. & Canoine V., 2015 – Effects of human disturbance on cave-nesting seabirds: the case of the storm petrel. Conservation Physiology, 3: cov041. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/cov041
Spatz D. R., Newton K. M., Heinz R., Tershy B., Holmes N. D., Butchart S. H. M. & Croll D. A., 2014 – The biogeography of globally threatened seabirds and island conservation opportunities. Conservation Biology, 28: 1282-1290. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.12279
Thomas R., 2024 - The Storm-petrels. London: T & AD Poyser. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781399417785
Valle R. G. & Scarton F., 2021 – Monitoring the hatching success of gulls Laridae and terns Sternidae: a comparison of ground and drone methods. Acta Ornithologica, 56: 241-254. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3161/00016454AO2021.56.2.010
Vento R. & Cusmano A., 2022 – 4. Yelkouan Shearwater Puffinus yelkouan. Avocetta, 46: 136.
Vento R. & Pedone S., 2022 – 3. Scopoli’s shearwater Calonectris diomedea. Avocetta, 46: 136.

How to Cite



Breeding seabirds of the Sicilian islands: distribution and abundance within the Marine Strategy Framework Directive monitoring program. (2025). Rivista Italiana Di Ornitologia, 95(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/rio.2025.906