Galápagos Petrel
NameGalápagos Petrel
Common NameGalápagos Petrel
Scientific NamePterodroma phaeopygia
FamilyProcellariidae
Wingspan (cm)89
Length (cm)43
Weight (g)350
Plumage DetailsDark sooty-brown upperparts, including the back, wings, and tail. The underparts are white, with a dark cap extending below the eye and a white forehead and face. A dark patch is visible on the underwing, extending from the carpal joint.
Vocalization / CallKnown for its nocturnal calls at breeding colonies, which are often described as wailing or moaning sounds, sometimes with a 'ti-ti-ti' call. These vocalizations are primarily heard during the breeding season.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeEndemic breeder to the Galápagos Islands, primarily on the larger islands such as Santa Cruz, Floreana, Santiago, and San Cristóbal. Disperses widely across the eastern Pacific Ocean when not breeding.
Identifying Featuresdark upperparts, white underparts, dark cap, white forehead, long, narrow wings, buoyant flight, dark underwing patch
Description
A medium-sized seabird, this petrel exhibits a graceful, buoyant flight over the open ocean. It is characterized by its dark upperparts and contrasting white underparts, making it distinctive among its pelagic relatives. It spends most of its life at sea, returning to volcanic islands only to breed.
