The collared petrel is a species of seabird in the family Procellariidae. It is sometimes regarded as a subspecies of Gould's petrel.
Region
Southwest Pacific
Typical Environment
Breeds on a few islands in Fiji and Vanuatu, with birds dispersing widely over the tropical southwest Pacific outside the breeding season. At sea it ranges over warm pelagic waters of the Coral Sea and adjacent Pacific, and is occasionally recorded off eastern Australia and New Caledonia. Nesting occurs on steep, vegetated slopes where birds dig burrows or use cavities under roots and rocks. It forages far from shore, often over deep water and along shelf edges.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The collared petrel is a small tropical gadfly petrel, a tubenose adept at dynamic soaring over open ocean. It nests in burrows on steep, forested island slopes and returns to colonies only at night. Invasive predators like rats and cats are major threats at breeding sites, and lights can disorient fledglings. It has at times been treated as a subspecies of Gould's petrel but is widely recognized as a distinct species.
Temperament
solitary and pelagic, wary near colonies
Flight Pattern
dynamic soaring with swift flap-glide; agile in strong winds
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose colonies or scattered pairs, nesting in burrows or natural crevices. Nocturnal at colonies to avoid predation, with both adults sharing incubation and chick provisioning. Highly philopatric, returning to the same nesting slopes across years.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Mostly silent at sea, but vocal at night around colonies. Calls are mournful yelps and chatter, with wailing notes exchanged between mates near burrows.
Plumage
Grey upperparts with a darker M-shaped pattern across the upperwings, clean white underparts, and a contrasting dusky partial collar across the sides of the breast.
Diet
Takes small fish, squid, and crustaceans, often picking prey from the surface or just below while on the wing. Will associate with predatory fish and occasionally follows fishing vessels. Likely exploits diel vertical migrations of prey, feeding more actively when prey is near the surface.
Preferred Environment
Pelagic waters far offshore, especially along shelf edges, convergences, and upwelling zones. Rarely approaches land except during the breeding season and nocturnally around colonies.
