Rare petrel sighting heightens survival fears

An extremely rare bird seen only a dozen times in the past 150 years has finally been spotted at sea.

But the news for the critically-endangered Fiji petrel is not good. Even in optimal conditions - the best season, best location and using the most pungent-smelling bait - only eight birds have been sighted.

Fijians have long appreciated the rarity of the chocolate-coloured gull, featuring it on a bank note and protecting it under law.

Known for its elusiveness, it was first identified on Fiji's Gau Island by British surveyors in 1855 and not seen again for 130 years.

Since 1984, there have been a handful of reports of petrels injured after crashing into village roofs on Gau, but never before have the birds been seen at sea.

"Finding this bird and capturing such images was a fantastic and exhilarating experience," said Hadoram Shirihai, who led the two-week search by the British Ornithologists' Club.

A paper published last week is the first to detail how the species behaves, with the team hoping it holds the key to the bird's survival.

"The present evidence is that very few Fiji petrels survive and that immediate efforts to find the nest sites are needed," said Tony Pym, an expedition member. "Prompt, effective protection is urgently required before it is too late."

- AAP