Great-winged Petrel
NameGreat-winged Petrel
Common NameGreat-winged Petrel
Scientific NamePterodroma macroptera
FamilyProcellariidae
Wingspan (cm)107.5
Length (cm)42.5
Weight (g)650
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is entirely dark sooty-brown, appearing almost black in some lights. The underwing can be slightly paler, but there are no distinct white markings.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include various cooing, moaning, and whistling calls, often given at night from their breeding burrows. They can also produce harsh cackles when disturbed.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands in the southern Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, including Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, St. Paul, Amsterdam Island, Lord Howe Island, and islands off New Zealand. It ranges widely across the southern oceans when not breeding.
Identifying FeaturesUniformly dark sooty-brown plumage, Long, narrow wings, Heavy, dark bill with prominent tubular nostrils, Pelagic behavior, rarely seen near land outside of breeding season
Description
The Great-winged Petrel is a large, uniformly dark seabird with long, narrow wings adapted for sustained oceanic flight. It spends most of its life at sea, coming to remote islands only to breed.
