White-headed Petrel
NameWhite-headed Petrel
Common NameWhite-headed Petrel
Scientific NamePterodroma lessonii
FamilyProcellariidae
Wingspan (cm)111
Length (cm)43
Weight (g)690
Plumage DetailsFeatures a distinctive white head with a prominent dark patch around the eye. The upperparts are grey, contrasting with darker primary feathers and a white rump. Underparts are entirely white, and the stout bill is black.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations include a series of high-pitched, whistling 'wee-wee-wee' calls and a distinctive 'ti-ti-ti' sound, often given at night around breeding colonies.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on subantarctic islands in the Southern Ocean, including Kerguelen, Crozet, Macquarie, Auckland, Antipodes, and Campbell Islands. Disperses widely across the Southern Ocean and into temperate waters during the non-breeding season.
Identifying Featureswhite head, dark eye patch, grey upperparts, dark primary feathers, white underparts, stout black bill, pelagic seabird
Description
A large, robust petrel of the Southern Ocean, characterized by its striking white head and dark eye patch. It spends most of its life at sea, coming ashore only to breed on remote subantarctic islands, where it nests in burrows.
