ILLUSTRATION
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PHOTOS
CONSERVATION STATUS
The Dark-rumped Petrel has a very limited range, breeding only in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. It is native to this region as well as much of Central America and prefers forest, shrubland, and marine ecosystems. The global population of this bird is estimated at only a maximum of 3200 breeding pairs and it is estimated that only 2,500 to 10,000 individuals remain. This bird meets population size and decline criteria that necessitate inclusion on the IUCN Red List. The current evaluation status of the Dark-rumped Petrel is Critically Endangered.
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SUMMARY
Overview
Dark-rumped Petrel: Medium petrel with dark slate-gray upperparts and white underparts. Sides of neck and underwing margins are dark. Bill is relatively short, black, and hooked. Legs and feet are pink-brown. Tail is white and wedge-shaped. Feeds on suqid, crustaceans, and fish. AKA Galapagos Petrel.
Range and Habitat
Dark-rumped Petrel: Found only on the Galapagos and Hawaiian Islands. Nests in a variety of environments from rain forests to sub-alpine rocky cliffs and will breed successfully as long as they are protected from predators. Pelagic; comes to land only to breed.
SONGS AND CALLS
INTERESTING FACTS
- Dark-rumped Petrels are often called gadfly petrels because of their erratic, swooping flight behavior at sea. It is also known as the Hawaiian Petrel.
- It is now widely reported that the A.O.U. has voted to split Dark-rumped Petrel into two species: Galapagos Petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia and Hawaiian Petrel P. sandwichensis.
- Current breeding-population estimates from known nest sites on the islands of Maui and Hawai‘i range from 450 to 650 pairs.
- A group of petrels are collectively known as a "gallon" and a "tank" of petrels.
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