General

Black-capped Petrel: Large petrel with white underparts, dark brown to black back and upper wings, black cap, and white collar (this field mark is missing in some birds). Tail is long, dark, and wedge-shaped; underwings show broad dark margins. Hooked bill is dark, legs are pink.

Range and Habitat

Black-capped Petrel: Occurs at sea from northern South America to the southeastern U.S. Currently, the only known breeding colonies are located in the highlands of Hispaniola, Haiti and Loma del Toro in the Dominican Republic. The total population is small, and a mere handful drift northward along the Gulf Stream in summer and fall, after the breeding season.

Breeding and Nesting

Black-capped Petrel: One white egg is laid in an excavated burrow in the soil or rocky crevice on an isolated mountain ridge. All known colonies are found in forested slopes of mountains at elevations 4,000 ft above sea level. Incubation ranges from 51 to 54 days and is carried out by both sexes.

Foraging and Feeding

Black-capped Petrel: The species spends most of its life at sea and feeds along the edges of the Gulf Stream primarily in areas where deep ocean waters are forced to the surface. Their main diet is believed to consist of small squid and fish, which they snatch from the surface of the water.

Vocalization

Black-capped Petrel: Generally silent at sea. Makes nocturnal haunting call on breeding grounds.

Similar Species

Black-capped Petrel: This bird looks similar to Bermuda Petrel and Jamaica Petrel (now believed to be extinct) but can be distinguished from them by its white collar, and conspicuous white rump. Bermuda Petrel has a shorter bill. Greater Shearwater is larger, its black cap extends below eye, it has a dusky wash on belly and a different flight pattern.