ILLUSTRATION
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PHOTOS
CONSERVATION STATUS
The Fea's Petrel currently has a status of Near Threatened. This rating is primarily due to its small population and its limited breeding range, which is restricted to just five islands, near Cape Verde as well as one island near Portugal. While this bird species is an occasional visitor to the United Kingdom, Israel and Ireland, it does not breed in those locations, making is susceptible to threats within its limited breeding range. This bird species was previously rated as Vulnerable in 1994. Conservation plans are underway to help replenish the population of Fea's Petrel.
VOTE: ILLUSTRATION
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SUMMARY
Overview
Fea's Petrel: Medium petrel, gray-brown upperparts, white belly. White breast with partial gray-brown breast band. Wings bend back at the wrist, have a dark M pattern across upperwings and lower back. Underwings are mostly dark. White face, dark mask around eyes. Gray tail, pale uppertail coverts.
Range and Habitat
Fea's Petrel: This bird breeds in the north Atlantic in the Cape Verde Islands and Madeira Islands. It can be seen solitary off North and mid-Atlantic Coasts. Fea's Petrel breeds in areas where there is a thick layer of earth covered with grass. On and around the southern plateau of Bugio there are places with earth more than 3 feet thick, and it is essential that a sufficient depth is available for the birds to construct burrows.
SONGS AND CALLS
Voice Text
Generally silent
INTERESTING FACTS
- Like most petrels, the walking ability of the Fea’s Petrel’s is limited to a short shuffle to its burrow.
- This bird is named after the Italian zoologist Leonardo Fea. It is also known as Gon-gon or Cape Verde Petrel.
- It is strictly nocturnal at breeding sites to avoid predation by gulls.
- A group of petrels are collectively known as a "gallon" and a "tank" of petrels.
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