Bird guideJuan Fernandez Petrel

The IUCN Red List lists the species as vulnerable due to its endemic status and threats from introduced predators.

⚠️Not listed

At a glance

FamilyShearwaters and Petrels
SizeGiant
RarityRare
HabitatPelagic; mostly offshore and over open ocean, occasionally seen from coastal headlands during passage.
Best timePeak activity in Jan, Nov, Aug.

Sounds

Sound sample
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Recorded by David Boyle

Range map

Range map

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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

Named for Juan Fernandez Islands in Chile, where the species breeds. Main identification features are relatively large size, gleaming white underparts with small black “comma” on bend of underwing, and dark cap blending into gray of hindneck. Upperparts show darker “M” pattern common to many petrels. Much larger than Masatierra Petrel and other small petrels.

Behavior

Distribution and status During the breeding season, the petrels forage in waters surrounding Isla Alejandro Selkirk and Isla Robinson Crusoe (both islands in the Juan Fernández Archipelago), as well as coastal Chile. The birds can be found in flocks with pink-footed shearwaters and other seabirds. During the non-breeding season, the petrels forage in the equatorial currents and counter-currents, as far north as the Hawaiian Islands.

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