Pterodroma hypoleuca
The Bonin Petrel (Pterodroma hypoleuca) is a medium-sized, highly pelagic seabird belonging to the 'gadfly petrel' genus, characterized by its elegant, high-speed flight over open oceans. Measuring approximately 29-31 cm (11-12 in) in length with a wingspan of 67-71 cm (26-28 in) and weighing 120-200g, this petrel exhibits a striking contrast of dark grey-brown upperparts against pristine white underparts. Key field marks include a diagnostic white forehead and face sharply demarcated by a da...
Exclusively pelagic over the open ocean during non-breeding periods, the Bonin Petrel returns to remote, predator-free oceanic islands and atolls for breeding, typically nesting in burrows dug into sandy or vegetated substrates.
Primarily consumes small squid, crustaceans, and small fish, which it obtains by surface-seizing or dipping while foraging over the open ocean.
Bonin Petrels are intensely nocturnal at their breeding colonies, arriving and departing under the cover of darkness to avoid aerial predators, spending their days far out at sea. Their foraging strategy involves surface-seizing, dipping, and hydroplaning to capture prey near the water's surface,...
The Bonin Petrel has a disjunct breeding range primarily across two distinct archipelagos in the North Pacific. Its main breeding strongholds are found within the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, including key atolls such as French Frigate Shoals, Laysan Island, Midway Atoll, and Pearl and Hermes A...
Near Threatened
- The Bonin Petrel is known as a 'gadfly petrel' due to its erratic, high-speed flight pattern, seemingly darting like an insect over the waves. - These petrels possess an exceptional sense of smell, believed to be crucial for locating their breeding burrows on dark nights and possibly for findin...