Gould's petrel is a species of seabird in the family Procellariidae. The common name commemorates the English ornithologist and bird artist John Gould (1804–1881).
Region
Southwest Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands off New South Wales, Australia, and on islets in New Caledonia. Outside the breeding season it ranges widely over the Tasman and Coral seas and into the open subtropical Pacific. It is highly pelagic, rarely approaching land except to breed, and often forages along oceanic fronts and shelf edges. Nest sites are in rock crevices, among boulders, or beneath dense vegetation on steep island slopes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Gould's petrel is a small, fast-flying gadfly petrel named after the English ornithologist John Gould. It breeds mainly on small islands off New South Wales, Australia, and in New Caledonia, then disperses widely across the subtropical Pacific. Conservation actions on Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah Islands—such as predator control and removal of sticky Pittosporum fruit—have markedly boosted the Australian population. Like all Procellariiformes, it has tubular nostrils and a keen sense of smell to help locate prey at sea.
Gould's petrel illustrated by John Gould with Cabbage Tree Island in the background
Temperament
shy and pelagic
Flight Pattern
buoyant shearing flight with rapid wingbeats and arcing glides
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially in small, scattered colonies, nesting in crevices or under vegetation. Pairs are largely monogamous and lay a single egg per season with shared incubation. Adults visit colonies mostly at night to avoid predation and human disturbance.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Quiet at sea, but at colonies gives wailing, moaning, and chuckling calls, mostly at night. Vocalizations carry over the colony and help pairs locate each other in darkness.
Plumage
White underparts with pale grey upperparts; dark grey cap and nape; striking white inner-wing panels contrasted with darker outer primaries forming a bold M-pattern above. Underwing mostly white with a narrow dark margin and dark tips; tail with a dusky terminal band.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small squid, fish, and crustaceans, often captured by surface seizing and shallow plunges. It may associate with predatory fish and marine mammals that drive prey to the surface. Sense of smell helps locate patchy prey and natural slicks.
Preferred Environment
Open ocean far from land, particularly along convergence zones, shelf breaks, and productive current fronts. Rarely seen close to shore except near breeding islands.
