Plumage is highly variable (white-bodied and white-headed, dark-headed, or wholly dark), but all types have a white flash on the wingtip, including diagnostic white feather shafts on upperwing, which enhance this petrel’s resemblance to jaegers and skuas.
Not listed
At a glance
FamilyShearwaters and Petrels
SizeMedium
RarityUncommon
HabitatNot much is known of the bird's breeding pattern at Balls Pyramid, however, it usually nests there in late summer.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from March to April.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Johannes Fischer
Range map
Range map
182visible hotspots
1776visible records
0states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
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
Indeed, sometimes Kermadec Petrels chase and pirate other petrels, as do jaegers and skuas. Herald Petrel is very similar, but is smaller and slimmer with a longer and more tapered tail, and lacks white shafts on upperwings.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Queensland
Tasmania
Northern Territory