Washington, D.C. and Sawaieke, Fiji (November 12, 2026) — A new peer-reviewed study released today details scientists' search for one of the planet's rarest birds in the waters off Fiji's Gau Island. Spanning ten days, the expedition yielded no verified sightings of the critically endangered Fiji Petrel, one of the world's most elusive birds. Fewer than 50 individuals are believed to remain on Earth. The researchers' investigation helped secure the only known audio recording of the Fiji Petrel's call .
Community members on Gau Island vowed to protect the forests on mountain slopes, known as montane forests, where the birds are thought to nest.
The expedition, which was carried out by National Geographic Pristine Seas in May 2025 in partnership with BirdLife International and NatureFiji-MareqetiViti, is detailed in a scientific paper — Fiji Petrel Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi a review
of historical sightings and the outcomes of a 2025 at-sea survey and tagging attempt — published today in the journal Bird Conservation International. In addition to documenting the team's at-sea search, the paper compiles, for the first time, every confirmed sighting of the Fiji Petrel, locally known as Kacau-ni-Gau from 1855 to present day.
The species was spotted on land on Gau until the 2000s, but no confirmed land sightings have occurred since 2012. The last confirmed sighting at sea was during a scientific search in 2023. This is one of the few species of seabirds in which no nests have ever been found.
"We're in a race against time to save the Fiji Petrel," said Lindsay Young, Vice President of research for Pristine Seas who led the expedition. "We searched for the bird night and day through the most tried-and-true techniques available, but the Fiji Petrel eluded us. While we left Gau still chasing shadows, communities' commitment to habitat protection and invasive species control gives any remaining Fiji Petrels a fighting chance."
During their ten-day search, mostly at sea, the local and international scientists spent over 12 hours per day scouring the skies for the Fiji Petrel. While the sun shone, the team used a technique called chumming — dispersing bait and fish oil on the sea surface — to try to attract the birds. At night, they attempted to attract the petrels through spotlighting and acoustic attraction: two bright handheld spotlights were aimed vertically to create a strong beam visible from a distance, while an audio recording of calls meant to attract the Fiji Petrel was played on a loop. Sightings were only considered confirmed if they were supported by photographic evidence.
"We have records of humans seeing the Fiji Petrel only 16 times on land and 22 times at sea," remarked Melania Bulimaitoga, biologist for BirdLife International. "That's why this bird and everything about it remains a mystery: the bird's breeding habits, population size, and foraging behavior are virtually unknown. We had hoped to tag a bird to finally understand where their nests are and how to protect them. After 10 days and nights of little sleep and lots of focus, we came up empty."
As part of their information gathering, the team spoke to residents of Gau Island, who have deep traditional knowledge about the bird, and uncovered the only known audio recording of the Fiji Petrel call.
The Fiji Petrel — endemic to the country — holds deep significance in Gau Island and beyond. The bird adorns Fiji's twenty-dollar banknote and is the subject of lullabies passed down through generations on Gau Island, Fiji's fifth-largest island.
The study describes how oral histories shared by Gau village chiefs indicate that the Fiji Petrel and similar species used to be much more abundant. Chiefs recounted stories from their great-grandmothers, who described collecting seabird eggs from the lower montane slopes behind the village, especially during pregnancy, when eating the eggs was considered desirable.
The Fiji Petrel's primary threats include invasive predators — feral cats, rats and pigs — and habitat degradation on Gau, the only island where the bird has ever been recorded. The lack of confirmed sightings during the most recent expedition underlines the peril of the bird's status. But scientists acknowledge that external factors, including a cyclone that passed south of the expedition during the survey period, as well as a recent strong El Niño could have contributed to the Fiji Petrel's absence.
"We were disappointed not to have any confirmed sightings, but a single survey is just a snapshot," remarked Lindsay Young. "It doesn't tell the whole story. Even so, we have to acknowledge the real risk that the Fiji Petrel may be slipping away as we watch — which is precisely why new protections being pursued by communities in Gau are so critical."
