Biology:White-headed petrel

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Short description: Species of bird

White-headed petrel
File-Pterodroma lessonii in flight 1 - SE Tasmania 2019.jpg
White-headed Petrel 0A2A7223.jpg
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
Genus: Pterodroma
Species:
P. lessonii
Binomial name
Pterodroma lessonii
(Garnot, 1826)
Pterodroma lessonii map.svg

The white-headed petrel (Pterodroma lessonii), also known as the white-headed fulmar, is a species of seabird in the petrel family, Procellariidae. It is about 400 mm (16 in) in length.[2]

White-headed petrels breed alone or in colonies in burrows dug among tussocks and herbfields on subantarctic islands.

Diet

They appear to feed pelagically on cephalopods and crustaceans.[1]

Description

The white-headed petrel distinct with a pale white head and prominent dark eye patch. It has long narrow wings and long pointed tail. The upper surface is pale grey which is contrasting with darker grey on the upper wings and the rump. The underside is mostly white. The bill is stout black with a large sharp hook. Green glands are prominent. The legs are pinkish to whitish with black patches on the toes.[3]

Voice

The calls are mainly higher-pitched shrill whistles ti-ti-ti or wik-wik-wik and lower-pitched moans ooo-er and or-wik sounds.

References

  • Marchant and Higgins. (1990). Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Vol.1. Oxford University Press: Melbourne.

External links

Wikidata ☰ Q952306 entry