The black petrel, also called Parkinson's petrel, is a medium-sized, black-plumaged petrel, the smallest of the Procellaria. The species is an endemic breeder of New Zealand, breeding only on Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island, off the North Island. At sea it disperses as far as Australia and Ecuador.
Region
Southwest and eastern Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on forested ridges and slopes of Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands, nesting in burrows under tree roots and dense vegetation. At sea it ranges widely across pelagic waters from the Tasman Sea to the eastern Pacific, with records as far as Australia and Ecuador. It favors productive upwelling zones, shelf breaks, and offshore canyons, often aggregating around fishing vessels. During the breeding season it forages chiefly around northern New Zealand; outside the season it disperses broadly into subtropical and tropical waters.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as Parkinson's petrel, this burrow-nesting seabird breeds only on New Zealand’s Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands. It is mostly nocturnal at colonies, using its strong sense of smell to navigate and locate food at sea. Major threats include fisheries bycatch and introduced predators on breeding islands. Conservation actions focus on predator control, burrow monitoring, and bycatch mitigation.
Black petrel mount from the collection of Auckland Museum
A black petrel on Great Barrier Island in the breeding season
A black petrel off the coast of Wollongong, Australia
Illustration by Joseph Smit, 1896
Temperament
solitary and nocturnal at colonies
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with dynamic soaring and stiff-winged arcs
Social Behavior
Monogamous pairs nest in burrows, returning at night to reduce predation risk. A single egg is laid each season, with long incubation and chick-rearing periods. Adults show strong site fidelity and reuse burrows across years. At sea they are mostly solitary but may form loose flocks at rich feeding patches or behind fishing vessels.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At colonies, males give mournful, wailing calls and cackling duets that carry through the night. Birds are generally silent at sea, occasionally uttering low croaks or grunts near conspecifics.
