Pterodroma longirostris
Stejneger's Petrel, *Pterodroma longirostris*, is a medium-small, slender-bodied seabird belonging to the Procellariidae family, known for its extensive pelagic migrations. It measures approximately 26-31 cm in length with a wingspan of 55-66 cm. Its plumage features dark gray upperparts, contrasting sharply with clean white underparts, a distinctive dark 'M' pattern visible across its upperwings, and a short, stout black bill. Key identification marks include a prominent dark cap extending b...
This is an exclusively pelagic species, spending its entire non-breeding life over the open ocean. It breeds exclusively in burrows on remote, offshore subantarctic islands, often at higher elevations with soft soil or dense tussock grass.
Primarily feeds on cephalopods (squid), various crustaceans, and small fish, which it obtains by surface-seizing or shallow pursuit-diving in the open ocean.
Stejneger's Petrels are strictly nocturnal at their breeding colonies, arriving and departing under the cover of darkness to avoid aerial predators, but are diurnal while foraging at sea. At sea, they exhibit an erratic, gliding flight, often interspersed with rapid wing beats. Foraging strategie...
Stejneger's Petrel has a remarkably disjunct distribution across the Pacific Ocean. It breeds exclusively on a few remote islands within the Juan Fernández Archipelago, specifically Masatierra (Robinson Crusoe Island) and Santa Clara, off the coast of Chile. After breeding, birds undertake an imp...
Near Threatened
- Named after Leonhard Stejneger, a Norwegian zoologist who collected the type specimen. - These petrels are known for their incredibly long-distance migrations, traversing vast expanses of the Pacific Ocean annually. - At their breeding colonies, they are strictly nocturnal, using the cover of d...