The Fiji petrel, also known as MacGillivray's petrel, is a small, dark gadfly petrel.
Region
Southwest Pacific
Typical Environment
At sea, the Fiji petrel ranges over tropical pelagic waters surrounding the Fiji archipelago, with most records near Gau. Breeding is believed to occur in burrows on steep, forested ridges on Gau, where birds attend colonies at night and remain secretive. At sea it forages far offshore over deep waters, often in areas of upwelling or convergences. Habitat on land includes mid- to upper-elevation rainforest with suitable soils for burrowing and slopes that provide safe access to and from the sea.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Fiji petrel, also known as MacGillivray's petrel, is a small, dark gadfly petrel known only with certainty from Gau Island, Fiji. It was long thought possibly extinct until its rediscovery in 1983, and remains one of the world’s rarest seabirds. Birds visit breeding areas only at night and are vulnerable to introduced predators and artificial lights. Conservation efforts focus on predator control, light-disorientation rescues, and protecting suspected nesting sites.
Temperament
secretive and largely nocturnal around colonies; solitary to small groups at sea
Flight Pattern
buoyant flier with short rapid wingbeats interspersed with low skimming glides over waves
Social Behavior
Breeds in burrows or crevices on steep, forested slopes; colonies are small and difficult to detect. Visits to colonies occur at night, likely to reduce predation risk. Pairs probably lay a single egg, with shared incubation and chick-rearing as in other gadfly petrels.
Migratory Pattern
Pelagic dispersal outside the breeding season
Song Description
At colonies, gives low, wailing calls and chattering notes during nocturnal attendance. Vocalizations are seldom heard at sea and are used for mate/contact communication in darkness.
Plumage
Uniformly dark, sooty-brown plumage with slightly paler underwing panels; silky, tight feathering typical of oceanic petrels.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish, squid, and crustaceans taken from the ocean surface. Likely employs surface-seizing and dipping, occasionally pattering over the water. May associate with predatory fish or subsurface predators that drive prey to the surface and may at times follow fishing vessels.
Preferred Environment
Forages over deep, warm pelagic waters, especially along current edges and areas of upwelling. Rarely approaches shore except when commuting to and from breeding areas.
