Photo: Joseph Smit / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Chatham Islands Petrel
Pterodroma axillaris
Chatham Islands Petrel (Pterodroma axillaris) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 2 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Chatham Islands Petrel (Pterodroma axillaris) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 165 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Procellariiformes
- Family Procellariidae Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels
- Genus Pterodroma
- Species axillaris
Where it lives
South East I. (=Rangatira, Chatham Is., east of South I., New Zealand)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 165 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Chatham Islands 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 Chatham Islands Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Chatham Islands Petrel (Pterodroma axillaris) is a member of the Procellariidae family, within the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO South East I. (=Rangatira, Chatham Is., e of South I., New Zealand).
It is a medium-sized bird. Adults weighs around 165 g, with a wing length of about 21.2 cm and a tail of around 8.7 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 30.4 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Chatham Islands Petrel?
The Chatham Islands Petrel is a medium-sized bird that weighs around 165 g.
Where does the Chatham Islands Petrel live?
The Chatham Islands Petrel is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO South East I. (=Rangatira, Chatham Is., e of South I., New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Chatham Islands Petrel belong to?
The Chatham Islands Petrel (Pterodroma axillaris) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Chatham Islands Petrel eat?
The Chatham Islands Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Chatham Islands Petrel migrate?
The Chatham Islands Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Chatham Islands Petrel endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Chatham Islands Petrel make?
1 real field recording of the Chatham Islands 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 Chatham Islands Petrel's range?
The Chatham Islands Petrel has a mapped global range of about 30.4 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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