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Overview
Galápagos petrel

Galápagos petrel

Wikipedia

The Galápagos petrel is one of the six endemic seabirds of the Galápagos. Its scientific name derives from Ancient Greek: Pterodroma originates from pteron and dromos, meaning "wing" and "runner", and phaeopygia comes from phaios and pugios, meaning "dusky" and "rump". Members of Pterodroma genus are also called the gadfly petrels because their erratic twisting and turning in flight resemble that of gadflies.

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Distribution

Region

Galápagos Archipelago and adjacent eastern Pacific

Typical Environment

At sea, the Galápagos petrel ranges widely over the waters surrounding the islands, foraging over open ocean fronts and upwelling zones. Breeding occurs in the humid highlands where it digs burrows or uses natural cavities on slopes with deep soils and dense vegetation. Colonies are typically in mist-laden zones with ferns and Scalesia forests. Outside breeding, birds remain pelagic but generally stay within the eastern tropical Pacific near the archipelago. Nocturnal activity helps reduce predation pressure at colonies.

Altitude Range

200–900 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size33–38 cm
Wing Span80–95 cm
Male Weight0.45 kg
Female Weight0.42 kg
Life Expectancy20 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

The Galápagos petrel is one of the archipelago’s few endemic seabirds, famed for its agile, twisting ‘gadfly’ flight. It nests in burrows in the humid highlands of several islands and returns to the same sites year after year. Formerly treated as conspecific with the Hawaiian petrel, it is now recognized as a separate species. Major threats include invasive predators like rats and cats, as well as habitat degradation by introduced mammals.

Gallery

Bird photo
Bird photo
The preserve specimen of the Galápagos petrel displays dark-gray upperparts and white underparts with some black freckling on the face.[8] The brown tinge is due to abrasion.[6] It also has a hooked bill that is adapted for manipulating their prey.[6]

The preserve specimen of the Galápagos petrel displays dark-gray upperparts and white underparts with some black freckling on the face.[8] The brown tinge is due to abrasion.[6] It also has a hooked bill that is adapted for manipulating their prey.[6]

Illustration of the head of Pterodroma lessoni. Here, the hooked bill and external tubular nostrils are also found in the Galápagos petrel.[6]

Illustration of the head of Pterodroma lessoni. Here, the hooked bill and external tubular nostrils are also found in the Galápagos petrel.[6]

Distribution of the Galápagos petrel. It nests on five islands including Isabela, Santiago, Floreana, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.[11]

Distribution of the Galápagos petrel. It nests on five islands including Isabela, Santiago, Floreana, San Cristobal and Santa Cruz.[11]

A Galápagos petrel flying over the water.

A Galápagos petrel flying over the water.

View of Island area. Floreana island is one of the nesting sites of the Galápagos petrel.[11]

View of Island area. Floreana island is one of the nesting sites of the Galápagos petrel.[11]

Behaviour

Temperament

shy and mostly nocturnal around colonies

Flight Pattern

erratic twisting with arcing glides and short rapid wingbeats

Social Behavior

Colonial nester that breeds in burrows or lava cavities in the highlands. Pairs are largely monogamous and show strong site fidelity, often reusing the same burrow annually. Adults attend colonies at night to reduce predation risk, and chicks are fed by both parents.

Migratory Pattern

Resident

Song Description

At night near colonies it gives wailing, yelping and moaning calls, often in rolling sequences. Calls carry over the colony and help partners locate each other in darkness.

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