Atlantic Petrel

About the Atlantic Petrel

The Atlantic petrel is a gadfly petrel endemic to the South Atlantic Ocean. It breeds in enormous colonies on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island, and ranges at sea from Brazil to Namibia, with most records at sea being to the west of the breeding islands, and along the subtropical convergence. Adults are about 43 cm long, powerful, large, stocky, dark in color with white belly. Their head can appear to be grey in worn plumage. Brown undercoating of wings and tail. These petrels can live on average of 15 years of age.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Atlantic Petrel lives

Recorded as a rare visitor in Brazil, Australia, South Africa.

When to see the Atlantic Petrel

Peak activity in November · a summer visitor species across most of its range

Easily confused with

Zino's PetrelPterodroma madeiraThis long-winged petrel is 32–34 cm (13–13 in) long with an 80–86 cm (31–34 in) wingspan, and an average weight of 290 g (10 oz). Herald PetrelPterodroma heraldicaThe bird is 35–39 cm (14–15 in) in size, with an 88–102 cm (35–40 in) wingspan. Stejneger's PetrelPterodroma longirostrisStejneger's petrel is a medium-sized, rather elegant seabird. it has greyish upperparts and white underparts.