About the Westland Petrel
The Westland petrel (Procellaria westlandica),, also known as the Westland black petrel, is a moderately large seabird in the petrel family Procellariidae, that is endemic to New Zealand. Described by Robert Falla in 1946, it is a stocky bird weighing approximately 1,100 grams (39 oz), and is one of the largest of the burrowing petrels. It is a dark blackish-brown colour with black legs and feet. It has a pale yellow bill with a dark tip.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The adult Westland petrel is a stocky bird, weighing around 1,100 grams (39 oz). It is entirely dark blackish-brown, with black legs and feet. Some individuals may have a few white feathers. The bill is pale yellow with a dark tip. Falla measured the female and male birds for his original description and pointed out that the male of the species measured slightly larger than the female. However the female specimen weighed slightly more than the male. It is one of the largest of the burrowing petrels.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where the Westland Petrel lives
When to see the Westland Petrel
Peak activity in November · a variable species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black PetrelProcellaria parkinsoniThe plumage of the black petrel is all black, as are its legs and bill except for pale sections on the bill.
Grey PetrelProcellaria cinereaThe grey petrel is a large grey, white, and brown petrel.
Spectacled PetrelProcellaria conspicillataThe spectacled petrel is a large, approximately 55 cm (22 in) in length, predominately black petrel.
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