Fea's petrel is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, Pterodroma. It was previously considered to be a subspecies of the soft-plumaged petrel, but they are actually not closely related at all. However, P. feae is very closely related to Zino's petrel and Desertas petrel, two other species recently split from P. mollis. The gadfly petrels are named for their speedy weaving flight, as if evading horseflies. The flight action is also reflected in the genus name Pterodroma, from Ancient Greek pteron, "wing" and dromos, " runner". This species is named after the Italian zoologist Leonardo Fea (1852-1903).
Region
Eastern Atlantic Ocean
Typical Environment
At sea it ranges across the eastern tropical Atlantic, especially around the Cape Verde Islands and northward through Macaronesia, occasionally reaching Iberian offshore waters. It breeds on steep volcanic slopes and high ridges, nesting in burrows, crevices, or under boulders. Away from colonies it remains strictly pelagic, foraging over deep water and along productive upwelling zones and shelf edges. It rarely approaches land outside the breeding season and uses strong winds to shear low over wave troughs.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 2300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Fea's petrel, also called the Cape Verde petrel, breeds only in the Cape Verde archipelago and spends most of its life far out at sea. It was once lumped with the soft-plumaged petrel but is now recognized as closely related to Zino's and Desertas petrels. Birds visit nesting colonies only at night and are highly vulnerable to introduced predators like cats and rats. Their swift, weaving flight gives the 'gadfly petrels' their name.
Egg of Fea's petrel(coll.MHNT)
Temperament
solitary and pelagic, secretive at colonies
Flight Pattern
rapid weaving flight with dynamic soaring and low shearing over waves, interspersed with short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose colonies; strictly nocturnal at nesting sites to avoid predators. Pairs are monogamous and often reuse the same burrow; both sexes incubate and feed the chick by regurgitation. Nesting occurs in burrows or rock crevices on steep, high terrain.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives mournful, wailing calls and yelping sequences, most often during darkness. Vocalizations are far-carrying but usually only heard near nesting slopes, with males and females giving subtly different phrases.
