Pterodroma externa
The Juan Fernandez Petrel (Pterodroma externa) is a majestic pelagic seabird, globally recognized for its extensive oceanic wanderings across the vast Pacific. This large gadfly petrel measures 40-43 cm in length with an impressive wingspan of 95-103 cm and typically weighs between 380-500g. Key identification marks include a distinct dark greyish-black cap sharply contrasting with a clean white face and neck, a slender pinkish bill tipped with black, and dark legs. In flight, a prominent dar...
Exclusively pelagic for the vast majority of its life, frequenting open ocean waters far from land. Breeds colonially on remote, often steep and vegetated slopes of oceanic islands, primarily Alejandro Selkirk Island, at elevations up to 1300 meters.
Primarily feeds on cephalopods (squid) and small fish, supplemented occasionally by crustaceans. Forages exclusively at sea, often by surface-seizing or shallow-diving.
At sea, the Juan Fernandez Petrel is a graceful and tireless flyer, expertly employing dynamic soaring to traverse vast distances with minimal energy expenditure. It is highly social during foraging, frequently observed in mixed-species feeding flocks alongside tuna schools or marine mammals, cap...
The Juan Fernandez Petrel has an extremely restricted breeding range, nesting almost exclusively on Alejandro Selkirk Island within the Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile, where colonies are found on steep, vegetated slopes up to 1300 meters elevation. After breeding, adults and immatures disperse...
Vulnerable
- The Juan Fernandez Petrel spends an astonishing 90% or more of its life soaring over the open ocean, far from any landmass. - It undertakes epic trans-equatorial migrations, moving thousands of kilometers from its breeding grounds to distant feeding areas in the North Pacific. - Despite its wid...