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MarineCavity nestMedium · 278 g
ID tip
The black-capped petrel is large compared to other gadfly petrels, with a length of about 16 inches (40.5 cm) and 37 inches (94 cm) wingspan. The most similar species within its range is the Bermuda petrel, which is smaller and has a narrower white rump patch and an extensive gray cowl. The great shearwater is also superficially similar. The critically endangered or possibly extinct Jamaica petrel (P. caribbaea) was a related dark form.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Black-capped Petrel
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 6 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is May, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Black-capped Petrel
The map shades 11 countries with regular records, and 6 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, Spain, Puerto Rico, Portugal, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Aruba.
About the Black-capped Petrel
The black-capped petrel, also known as the diablotín, is a small seabird native to the West Indies in the genus Pterodroma. It is a long-winged petrel with a grey-brown back and wings, with a white nape and rump. Underparts are mainly white apart from a black cap and some dark underwing markings. It picks food items such as squid from the ocean surface.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Great-winged PetrelPterodroma macropteraThis is a large seabird, with a body length of 42–45 cm.
Cook's PetrelPterodroma cookiiCook's petrel or tītī (Māori), blue-footed petrel, is a Procellariiform seabird endemic to New Zealand.
Barau's PetrelPterodroma barauiBarau's petrel is around 40 cm long, and has white undersides and forehead.
Side by side: Black-capped Petrel vs Great-winged Petrel · Barau's Petrel vs Black-capped Petrel
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