The Juan Fernández petrel is a species of seabird in the family Procellariidae. It nests on a single island off the coast of Chile, in the Juan Fernández Archipelago. It was previously classified as a subspecies of the white-necked petrel, which is found in tropical waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Region
Southeast Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds in burrows at high elevations on Alejandro Selkirk Island, then disperses widely over the eastern and central Pacific. At sea it occupies pelagic waters far from land, often along oceanic fronts and productive upwellings such as the Humboldt Current. It forages across tropical to subtropical waters and may travel thousands of kilometers during the nonbreeding season. Nearshore appearances are rare except when returning to colonies at night.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
This gadfly petrel breeds only on Alejandro Selkirk Island in the Juan Fernández Archipelago off Chile. Outside the breeding season it ranges widely across the eastern and central Pacific, often over productive upwelling zones. It was once treated as a subspecies of the white-necked petrel but is now recognized as a full species. Major threats include invasive predators at the colony and habitat degradation.
Temperament
solitary and pelagic at sea; gregarious at colonies
Flight Pattern
dynamic soaring glider with arcing sweeps and interspersed rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Colonial breeder nesting in burrows or rock crevices at high elevations. Mostly nocturnal at the colony to avoid predators. Pairs are monogamous, sharing incubation and chick provisioning. Young remain in burrows until fledging.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally silent at sea. At colonies, produces wailing, yapping, and moaning calls at night, with softer coos exchanged between mates at the burrow.