General

White-chinned Petrel: Medium to large seabird with overall black to dark brown plumage, white chin, chalky white tube-nosed bill, and black legs and feet. Long wings and medium-length tail. Juveniles are similar to adults.

Range and Habitat

White-chinned Petrel: Breeds in moorlands on several sub-Antarctic islands. After breeding, these birds disperse over a very large area in the southern oceans and also range north to southwestern Africa and western South America on cold ocean currents. Occurs as a rare vagrant to the North American Pacific Ocean.

Breeding and Nesting

White-chinned Petrel: Single white egg is laid in burrow and incubated by both sexes for 57 to 62 days. They nest in colonies and this takes place between November and June.

Foraging and Feeding

White-chinned Petrel: Forages on squid and other small marine creatures by shallow diving and picking them from the surface of water in pelagic waters.

Vocalization

White-chinned Petrel: Makes nasal sounds, rattling noises, and, during courtship, a sound like a tiny metal hammer pounding an anvil.

Similar Species

White-chinned Petrel: Flesh-footed Shearwater has more slender bill and pink legs and feet. Parkinson Petrel has dark tip to bill and dark chin.