Pterodroma sandwichensis
The Hawaiian Petrel, locally known as 'Ua'u, is a medium-sized, highly pelagic seabird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, belonging to the Pterodroma genus known for its long-winged, swift flight. Averaging 41 cm (16 in) in length with a wingspan of about 91 cm (36 in) and weighing around 400g (14 oz), this striking petrel presents a dark gray-brown back and upperwings contrasting sharply with clean white underparts. Key identification marks include a distinct dark cap, a white forehead, and a ...
Breeds in high-elevation montane forests and sparsely vegetated volcanic slopes, typically above 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) on Hawaiian islands, digging burrows for nesting. Spends the rest of its life exclusively in the open ocean (pelagic zones) across the tropical and subtropical Pacific.
Primarily feeds on cephalopods (squid), small fish, and crustaceans. Forages pelagically, using surface-seizing and shallow-diving methods.
Hawaiian Petrels are strictly nocturnal at their breeding colonies, arriving and departing under the cover of darkness, but are diurnal at sea. They are highly colonial nesters, digging burrows up to 3 meters (10 feet) deep, often in dense fern thickets or lava rock crevices. Courtship involves s...
The Hawaiian Petrel is endemic to the Hawaiian Archipelago, where it breeds primarily on high-elevation volcanic slopes. Significant breeding colonies are found on Maui (notably in Haleakala National Park), Hawaii Island (on Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea), and Kauai (Na Pali Coast). Smaller, isolated p...
Vulnerable
- Hawaiian Petrels navigate thousands of miles across the open ocean to return to tiny, isolated breeding islands each year, demonstrating incredible navigational prowess. - Their Hawaiian name, 'Ua'u, is an onomatopoeia for their distinctive breeding call, a haunting 'oo-AH-oo' sound. - To defen...