Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
White-necked Petrel
Pterodroma cervicalis
White-necked Petrel (Pterodroma cervicalis) — 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 White-necked Petrel (Pterodroma cervicalis) is a member of the Procellariidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 445 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 cervicalis
Where it lives
Phillip I. (south of Norfolk Is., far east of Australia) and Macauley I. (Kermadec Is., northeast of North I., New Zealand)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 445 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Endangered
Least Concern
Extinct
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The White-necked 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 White-necked Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The White-necked Petrel (Pterodroma cervicalis) belongs to the Procellariidae family of the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO Phillip I. (s of Norfolk Is., far e of Australia) and Macauley I. (Kermadec Is., ne of North I., New Zealand).
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 445 g, with a wing length of about 29.8 cm and a tail of around 12.5 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.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 67.3 million km² — a very large global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the White-necked Petrel?
The White-necked Petrel is a large bird that weighs around 445 g.
Where does the White-necked Petrel live?
The White-necked Petrel is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO Phillip I. (s of Norfolk Is., far e of Australia) and Macauley I. (Kermadec Is., ne of North I., New Zealand), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the White-necked Petrel belong to?
The White-necked Petrel (Pterodroma cervicalis) belongs to the Procellariidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the White-necked Petrel eat?
The White-necked Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the White-necked Petrel migrate?
The White-necked Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the White-necked 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 White-necked Petrel make?
1 real field recording of the White-necked 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 White-necked Petrel's range?
The White-necked Petrel has a mapped global range of about 67.3 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.
Explore more birds
More in Procellariidae
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Critically Endangered
More in Seabirds & Tubenoses
Least Concern
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Least Concern
Least Concern