The Jamaican petrel is a small possibly extinct seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, Pterodroma. It is related to the black-capped petrel.
Region
Caribbean Sea
Typical Environment
Historically, this species bred in high-elevation forested mountains of eastern Jamaica and foraged over pelagic waters of the northern Caribbean. At sea it ranged widely over warm offshore waters, often far from land. Breeding is presumed to have been in burrows or rock crevices on steep, vegetated slopes with soft soils for excavation. Outside the breeding period it remained fully pelagic, occurring along current fronts and areas of upwelling. Contemporary distribution is uncertain due to the lack of recent confirmed records.
Altitude Range
800–1800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Jamaican petrel is a small gadfly petrel historically known from Jamaica and is closely related to the black-capped petrel. It has not been reliably recorded for over a century and may be extinct, though targeted searches continue. Like many Pterodroma, it nests in burrows on steep, forested slopes and spends most of its life far offshore.
Illustration from 1907
Temperament
pelagic and elusive
Flight Pattern
buoyant shearing flight with stiff-winged glides and rapid banking
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose colonies or scattered pairs, nesting in burrows or natural crevices on steep, forested slopes. Nocturnal at colonies, where pairs engage in mutual calling and display. Long-lived and likely forms long-term pair bonds, with high site fidelity to traditional nesting areas.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At breeding sites it gives eerie, wailing and chattering calls at night, reminiscent of black-capped petrel but generally lower and harsher. At sea it is usually silent, vocalizing mainly when approaching or within colonies.
Plumage
Sooty-brown to dark grey upperparts with contrasting paler underparts; dark hooded head and marked dark borders to the underwing. Underparts generally whitish with dusky smudging on the flanks and belly. Compared with the black-capped petrel it is smaller and overall darker, with a reduced or less distinct white rump.
Diet
Feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans taken from the surface or just below it. Will seize prey by dipping and surface-snatching, and may follow predatory fish or fronts that concentrate food. Occasionally attracted to fishing vessels for discards. Foraging is often solitary or in small loose aggregations where prey is abundant.
Preferred Environment
Warm pelagic waters off the Greater Antilles and adjacent Caribbean, often along current edges and upwelling zones. Rarely approaches shore except during the breeding season.
