Photo: Plate: Frohawk / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Hawaiian Petrel
Pterodroma sandwichensis
Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 19 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 401 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Procellariiformes
- Family Procellariidae Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels
- Genus Pterodroma
- Species sandwichensis
Where it lives
Montane Kaua'i, Moloka'i (formerly), Lana'i, Maui and Hawaii (main Hawaiian Is.)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 401 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Endangered
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Hawaiian Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it uses a wide range of foraging strategies.
Migration
The Hawaiian Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) is a species of bird in the Procellariidae family, part of the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO montane Kaua'i, Moloka'i (formerly), Lana'i, Maui and Hawaii (main Hawaiian Is.).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 401 g, with a wing length of about 27.1 cm and a tail of around 13 cm.
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 19.2 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Hawaiian Petrel?
The Hawaiian Petrel is a large bird that weighs around 401 g.
Where does the Hawaiian Petrel live?
The Hawaiian Petrel is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO montane Kaua'i, Moloka'i (formerly), Lana'i, Maui and Hawaii (main Hawaiian Is.), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Hawaiian Petrel belong to?
The Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Hawaiian Petrel eat?
The Hawaiian Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Hawaiian Petrel migrate?
The Hawaiian Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Hawaiian Petrel endangered?
It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
What sound does the Hawaiian Petrel make?
1 real field recording of the Hawaiian Petrel — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Hawaiian Petrel's range?
The Hawaiian Petrel has a mapped global range of about 19.2 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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