Subspecies
Monotypic species
Genus
Genus Pterodroma, Pseudobulweria and Aphrodroma are also knwon as the Gadfly Petrels. They vary in size from rather small birds such as the Cookilaria-species, measuring about 26 cm, to the much larger and robust representatives of this group like the White-headed Petrel with an overall length of about 43 cm. Their plumages also vary a great deal from species to species; from completely black to light grey mantles and pure white bellies, and with different color phases within species. One feature shared by all of them is the black bill of which the shape also shows much variation. Some species are extremely rare and restricted to a very limited area, other are abundant and wander widely or have unknown pelagic ranges.
The group of the Gadfly Petrels counts over 35 species, mainly from the Southern Hemisphere. There are three genera: Pterodroma with about 30 species, Pseudobulweria counting four and Aphrodroma with only one. Many authors have tried to classify the large number of species of this group and to determine their relationships. This has resulted in a division in several subgenera and the grouping of several species which are considered to have a more or less close relationship. The taxonomic discussion has not come to an end yet: new species have been added or split recently and probably will be in the near future.
Physical charateristics
wingspan min.: | 50 | cm | wingspan max.: | 56 | cm |
size min.: | 26 | cm | size max.: | 30 | cm |
incubation min.: | 42 | days | incubation max.: | 48 | days |
fledging min.: | 77 | days | fledging max.: | 84 | days |
broods: | 1 | eggs min.: | 1 | ||
eggs max.: | 1 |
Range
Habitat
Reproduction
Feeding habits
Conservation
Pacific rat Rattus exulans has a significant impact on breeding success, taking eggs and chicks. The threatened endemic reptile tuatara Sphenodon punctatus is also a natural predator of eggs and chicks, but appears to have no major effect on populations. Little Shearwaters Puffinus assimilis compete for nesting sites, and generally dominate when their populations are large. Although they presently have little effect on breeding success3, competition may become problematic in the future as populations increase in response to a release from predator pressure4,5. The species is potentially threatened by climate change because it has a geographically bounded distribution: it is restricted to an island or islands with a maximum altitude of 150m.