Satellite tracking of the Pink-footed Shearwater in Chile

Satellite tracking tvas used to examine movements of the threatened Pink-fo oted Shearwater (Puffinus creatopus) from Isla Mocha, Chile, during the chi ck-rearing period in 1998. We were able to track one breeding bird, one bir d of unknown status and one prospector. Whereas the first two performed for aging flights and returned to the colony after about a two weeks absence, t he last traveled north for four weeks, suggesting that it had started migra tion towards the wintering grounds in the northern hemisphere. Faster trave l speeds during the day than during the night were found for all three bird s. A major foraging zone was located about 250-300 km north of Isla Mocha a nd close to the Chilean mainland. The preference of Pink-footed Shearwaters for waters close to the coast when feeding, as well as when migrating, has implications for the conservation of the species.