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An appropriately named chunky petrel, distinctive in its bland coloration and lack of patterning.
TAS: Endangered
Indigenous: Pediunker, Black-Tailed Shearwater, Great Gray Petrel, Brown Petrel, Bully, Night Hawk, Kuia
At a glance
FamilyShearwaters and Petrels
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
HabitatCoastlines, harbours, offshore waters, estuaries, headlands, beaches, and large inland water when conditions suit.
Best timeMost reliable in Tasmania from March to April.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by David Boyle
Range map
Range map
10visible hotspots
29visible records
1states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Silvery gray-brown above, with a white belly and pale throat. Underwing is dark and unmarked. Bill is pale yellowish with dark contours. Simple bicolored coloration separates this species from other petrels, and chunky proportions and stubby-billed profile distinguish it from similar-looking shearwaters.
Behavior
Best separated by flight shape, wing action, and feeding style over open water rather than by distant views on land.
Gallery