Pterodroma gouldi
The Grey-faced Petrel, *Pterodroma gouldi*, is a medium-sized seabird endemic to New Zealand. Reaching lengths of 42-46 cm, with a wingspan of 100-110 cm and weighing 400-550g, it is characterized by its dark grey-brown upperparts, distinct pale grey face and forehead, and a prominent dark 'M' or 'W' pattern across its upperwings, contrasting with its clean white underparts. Its stout, dark hooked bill and pinkish legs with dark feet are typical of petrels. As a member of the order Procellari...
Primarily pelagic, inhabiting offshore open ocean waters year-round. It breeds exclusively on predator-free offshore islands, nesting in burrows within coastal forests or dense scrub.
The Grey-faced Petrel feeds predominantly on cephalopods (squid), which it catches at or near the surface. Its diet also includes various crustaceans and small fish.
This petrel is largely nocturnal at its breeding colonies, flying to and from its burrows under the cover of darkness to avoid aerial predators, while being diurnal when foraging at sea. Foraging involves surface-seizing and occasional shallow plunge-dives, often associating with other seabirds o...
The Grey-faced Petrel is endemic to New Zealand, where it maintains its entire breeding population. It breeds primarily on offshore islands of the North Island, with key colonies found on the Mercury Islands, Alderman Islands, Marotere (Chicken) Islands, and Great Barrier Island. After the breedi...
Least Concern
- Grey-faced Petrels are strictly nocturnal at their breeding colonies, arriving and departing only after dusk to avoid predatory gulls and skuas. - They are impressive long-distance fliers, undertaking extensive post-breeding dispersals across the Tasman Sea and into the western Pacific. - These...