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Kermadec Petrel
(Pterodroma neglecta)
Size: 37-39 cm; wing span ca. 90 cm
Weight: 400-580 g
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Kermadec Petrels are medium-sized seabirds.
Their plumage
is very diverse - it comes in 3 morphologies, ranging from
light via intermediate to dark, plus gradations in between
those.
The common features to all morphologies are dark undertail
coverts, silvery-grey primary shafts on the upperwings and
paired white flashes in the wing points.
Dark
morphology Kermadec Petrels have, except the typical paired
silver wing-flashes, all charcoal underwings. Their underparts
and head are homogeneously dark-grey.
Intermediate morphology Kermadec Petrels have similarly dark
underwings, wtih a mid-grey body and head.
Light (or pale) morphology birds have more white in their
underwings, a grey collar, but otherwise an off-white front
(underparts). Except for the undertail coverts, the latter
are very similar to Herald Petrels (not documented here yet).
The upperparts of all morphologies are primarily dark-grey,
with varying degrees of lighter-grey scalloping on both back
and wing coverts.
Their short neck and tail give Kermadec Petrels a squat appearance.
The short, chunky bill is dark-grey and has a knob at its base.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Kermadec
Petrel at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Kermadec Petrel is available
HERE
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There are two races of Kermadec Petrels, which are a migratory
species of the Pacific Ocean.
In both the northern and the southern hemisphere they can be
found at latitudes of up to about 40 degrees.
Around Australia Kermadec Petrels populate the seas around the islands
of the Bass Strait, including Tasmania, the islands of the Tasman Sea,
and all the way along the Australian East coast, to the Great Barrier
Reef and the Coral Sea. They breed on islands, from Ball's Pyramid (Lord
Howe Island) to the Juan Fernandez Islands.
When not breeding, Kermadec Petrels will mostly stay on the high seas. They breed on
islands.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
M. Eaton reports finding Kermadec Petrels 22 NM off
Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, in April 2018.
All sighting and photographic information presented on this
page has kindly been contributed by M. Eaton.
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Photos |
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Dark morphology
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ADULT |
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Near-dorsal view of a Kermadec Petrel; note the characteristic
silvery-grey primary shafts on the upperwing
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Near-lateral view of a Kermadec Petrel in flight; note the characteristic
silvery-grey primary shafts on the upperwing
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a Kermadec Petrel in flight; note the characteristic
silvery-grey primary shafts on the upperwing
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Intermediate morphology
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ADULT |
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Moulting Kermadec Petrel in flight (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Pale morphology
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ADULT |
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Distant view of the underside of a Kermadec Petrel
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors.
The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
Call/s
