Murphy’s Petrel
Murphy's Petrel
Pterodroma ultima
At a Glance
This rather mysterious seabird, nesting on a few islands in the South Pacific, was not described to science until 1949. Not until the late 1980s was it learned that Murphy's Petrel may be a regular visitor far off the west coast of North America, mainly in late spring. Most sightings are more than 40 miles offshore.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Gull-like Birds
IUCN Status
Near Threatened
Habitat
Open Ocean
Behavior
Swimming
Population
270.000
Range & Identification
Description
15.5" A fast-flying seabird, found far off the Pacific Coast. Mostly dark brownish gray. Has a pale flash on underside of wingtip, some whitish on throat and around base of bill. Shorter, thicker bill than shearwaters. Compare to dark morph Northern Fulmar.
Size
About the size of a Crow
Tail Shape
Pointed, Rounded, Wedge-shaped
Songs and Calls
Generally silent at sea. Accelerating boo or hoo calls similar to a Boreal Owl, gull-like cry, and long undulating hoots.
Call Type
Hoot
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