At a Glance

Breeding on islands around New Zealand, this petrel ranges over vast distances in the Pacific Ocean. Since the late 1970s, research cruises have revealed that Cook's Petrel occurs regularly off our west coast -- but so far offshore that it is seldom seen on ordinary one-day birding boat trips, let alone from shore.
Category
Gull-like Birds
Conservation
Vulnerable
Habitat
Open Ocean
Population
670.000

Range & Identification

Description

11" (28 cm). W 27 (69 cm). Only occurs far off Pacific Coast. Bright white below and on underside of wings; pale gray above, including crown and nape, but with darker gray "M" pattern across back and wings.
Size
About the size of a Robin
Tail Shape
Rounded, Short, Wedge-shaped

Songs and Calls

Generally silent at sea. On breeding grounds a series of high pitched notes similar to Mottled Petrel but even higher pitched.

Climate Vulnerability

Conservation Status