Pterodroma ultima
Murphy's Petrel (Pterodroma ultima) is a medium-sized, highly pelagic seabird belonging to the diverse Gadfly Petrel genus. It measures approximately 38-41 cm (15-16 in) in length with a wingspan of 90-102 cm (35-40 in) and typically weighs between 300-400 g (10.6-14.1 oz). Its plumage is a uniformly dark grey-brown, appearing almost black at a distance, with a subtly paler throat and belly that can be challenging to discern at sea. A key identification feature is the prominent dark 'W' patte...
This species is exclusively pelagic, inhabiting the open waters of the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean, venturing far from land for most of its life. It only comes ashore to breed on remote, rocky oceanic islands at sea level.
Primarily feeds on cephalopods (squid) and small fish, occasionally supplementing its diet with crustaceans. Forages by dipping, surface-seizing, and shallow-diving in the open ocean.
Murphy's Petrels exhibit a fascinating dual lifestyle, being diurnal and solitary while foraging at sea but strictly nocturnal and colonial when on their remote breeding islands. Their foraging strategy primarily involves dipping, surface-seizing, and shallow-diving for prey, often associating wi...
Murphy's Petrel is a wide-ranging pelagic species distributed across the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean. Its primary breeding grounds are restricted to a few remote islands in French Polynesia, specifically the Gambier Islands (e.g., Mangareva, Tarauru-roa) and the Austral Islands (e.g., ...
Least Concern
- Murphy's Petrel is named after Robert Cushman Murphy, a prominent American ornithologist and curator at the American Museum of Natural History. - These birds spend almost their entire lives at sea, often thousands of kilometers from land, only returning to remote islands to breed. - They are ex...