Pterodroma nigripennis
The Black-winged Petrel (Pterodroma nigripennis) is an enigmatic and highly pelagic seabird, belonging to the Procellariidae family, specifically within the "gadfly petrel" genus. This medium-sized petrel measures approximately 29-31 cm in length with a wingspan of 66-71 cm, typically weighing between 150-200g. Its appearance is characterized by striking dark upperparts contrasting with pristine white underparts, accentuated by a distinctive dark "M" pattern across its upperwings, a key field...
This species is exclusively pelagic, inhabiting the open ocean throughout its non-breeding season. It returns only to remote oceanic islands for breeding, nesting in burrows or crevices at sea level.
The Black-winged Petrel feeds primarily on small squid, crustaceans, and small fish, which it captures by surface-seizing, dipping, and pattering over the water.
Highly pelagic outside the breeding season, Black-winged Petrels exhibit a truly oceanic existence, spending months at sea without touching land. Upon returning to their breeding colonies, they become strictly nocturnal, arriving and departing under the cover of darkness to avoid predation from g...
The Black-winged Petrel is a wide-ranging pelagic species of the Pacific Ocean, primarily breeding on remote oceanic islands of the Southwest Pacific. Major breeding colonies are found on New Zealand's Kermadec Islands (Raoul, Macauley, Curtis) and Three Kings Islands, as well as on Norfolk Islan...
Least Concern
- The genus "Pterodroma" translates to "wing-runner," referring to their habit of sometimes running on the water surface when taking flight, and they are famously known as "gadfly petrels" for their agile, erratic flight patterns. - These incredible birds undertake trans-equatorial migrations, br...