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New Zealand Storm-Petrel
(Fregetta maoriana)
: "Coral Sea Storm-Petrel", "New Caledonian Storm-Petrel"
Size: 17-19 cm; wing span ca. 38 cm
Weight: 28-38 g
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
New Zealand Storm-Petrels and Coral Sea/New Caledonian Storm-Petrels
are small seabirds.
Their plumage is
all dark-grey, except for the white rump, prominent black-and-white
streaking on the flanks and the sides under the wings, and a lighter
grey crescent on the greater upperwing coverts.
The Coral Sea/New
Caledonian form
has dark-grey primary underwing coverts, while the
New Zealand form
has white primary underwing coverts.
The tail is squarish and often formed into a "V"-shape. The legs are
long and the toes protrude conspicuously beyond the end of the tail
in flight.
The bill, which has a small knob, and the legs and feet are
dark-grey.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See New
Zealand Storm-Petrel at Wikipedia  .
Click here for classification information
The birds described here are currently treated as an "undescribed
form" (or "New Caledonian form") of the New Zealand Storm-Petrel,
Fregetta maoriana.
However,
evidence is mounting that they are not just a form/race of that
species. DNA evidence and other criteria, such as primary wing
feather length, suggest that they deserve to be given full species
status. Work on this is in progress. Since they are found more
often in the Coral Sea than in New Caledonia, the to-be-proposed
new name will be "Coral Sea Storm-Petrel", rather than "New
Caledonia Storm-Petrel".
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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 New Zealand Storm-Petrel
(including the Coral Sea/New Caledonian Storm-Petrel)
is available HERE
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New Zealand Storm-Petrels and Coral Sea/New Caledonian Storm-Petrels
are a "lost species" that has been rediscovered in New Zealand and
New Caledonia in 2003. They breed on
offshore islands
primarily in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand.
From there they disperse/migrate, but their migration distribution
is so far unknown.
New Zealand and Coral Sea/New Caledonian Storm-Petrels are listed
as vagrants to Australian waters. they have been found around
Australia since 2010, with occasional sightings on the edge of the
continental shelf from eastern VIC to southern QLD. While birds of
the New Zealand form are found over the entire range, birds of
the Coral Sea/New Caledonian form have been found only off northern
NSW and southern QLD.
When not breeding, New Zealand and Coral Sea/New Caledonian
Storm-Petrels will mostly stay
on the high seas.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
M. Eaton reports finding the Coral Sea/New Caledonian form
of the New Zealand Storm-Petrel
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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Coral Sea/New Caledonian form
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ADULT |
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Lateral view of a Coral Sea Storm-Petrel in flight
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a Coral Sea Storm-Petrel in flight; at this angle
one can see clearly the streaking on the side
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a Coral Sea Storm-Petrel feeding at the surface
of the water
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a Coral Sea Storm-Petrel in flight, with a view
of its underwing (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[22 NM off Southport, Gold Coast, QLD, April 2018]
Near-dorsal view of a Coral Sea Storm-Petrel feeding at the surface
of the water, with a view of its underwing
(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
