General

Murphy's Petrel: Large petrel with an overall gray or gray-brown body and pale throat. Underwings have pale bars. Legs and feet are pale. Sexes are similar.

Range and Habitat

Murphy's Petrel: Breeds in the Pitcairn Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Austral Islands, and the Gambier Islands. Seen annually far offshore, along the Pacific coast of Mexico, California, Oregon, and Washington. Pelagic, only comes ashore to breed.

Breeding and Nesting

Murphy's Petrel: One white egg is laid in a burrow excavated by both parents. Incubation ranges from 50 to 54 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Murphy's Petrel: Eats squid and crustaceans; forages in flight, snatching prey at or near the water surface.

Vocalization

Murphy's Petrel: Emits acute cries on breeding grounds; silent at sea.

Similar Species

Murphy's Petrel: Herald Petrel Dark Morph lacks white at the base of the bill. Dark-rumped Petrel has white on face, throat, and breast.