Photo: Mark Jobling / Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Westland Petrel
Procellaria westlandica
Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 16 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 1.2 kg. 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 Procellaria
- Species westlandica
Where it lives
Coastal foothills of Paparoa Range, northwestern South I. (New Zealand)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Vulnerable
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Westland Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it swims and feeds in and around water.
Migration
The Westland Petrel is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica) belongs to the Procellariidae family of the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO coastal foothills of Paparoa Range, nw South I. (New Zealand).
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 36.9 cm and a tail of around 13.1 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 18.9 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Westland Petrel?
The Westland Petrel is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.
Where does the Westland Petrel live?
The Westland Petrel is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO coastal foothills of Paparoa Range, nw South I. (New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Westland Petrel belong to?
The Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Westland Petrel eat?
The Westland Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Westland Petrel migrate?
The Westland Petrel is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Westland 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 Westland Petrel make?
1 real field recording of the Westland 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 Westland Petrel's range?
The Westland Petrel has a mapped global range of about 18.9 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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