The Desertas petrel is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus which breeds on Bugio Island in the Desertas off Madeira.
Region
Northeast Atlantic Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on Bugio in the Desertas archipelago and disperses widely over the surrounding Northeast Atlantic. Outside the breeding season it ranges pelagically over deep oceanic waters, often between Madeira, the Canary Current, and Iberian offshore waters. At colonies it uses steep slopes, cliffs, and rocky ground with pockets of soil for burrows. At sea it forages far from land, typically over productive upwelling zones and frontal systems.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 400 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A member of the Fea’s/Zino’s petrel complex, the Desertas petrel breeds almost exclusively on Bugio Island in the Desertas off Madeira. It visits colonies only at night and nests in burrows on steep, sparsely vegetated slopes. Identification at sea is notoriously difficult and often requires close views of structure and underwing pattern. Conservation work on the Desertas has focused on biosecurity and colony protection.
Temperament
solitary and pelagic
Flight Pattern
stiff-winged glides with rapid shearing arcs and dynamic soaring over swells
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose colonies or scattered burrows on steep slopes and cliffs. Pairs are long-term monogamous, laying a single egg per season. Adults attend colonies at night, reducing predation risk, and exchange incubation and chick-feeding duties.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives soft, moaning and wailing calls, often a series of quavering notes exchanged between mates. Vocalizations are almost exclusively nocturnal and can carry across the slopes on calm nights.
