The magenta petrel, or Chatham Island tāiko, is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, Pterodroma. Found exclusively on Chatham Island, New Zealand, it is one of the rarest birds in the world, believed to be extinct for over 100 years before its rediscovery in the 1970s.
Region
Chatham Islands, South Pacific
Typical Environment
Breeds exclusively in forested valleys on Chatham Island, using deep soil to excavate long burrows under dense vegetation. Outside the breeding season it disperses widely over the South Pacific, ranging far from land in open-ocean waters. At sea it frequents productive fronts and shelf edges where prey is concentrated. It approaches colonies only after dark and remains extremely secretive on land. Conservation areas with intensive predator control now encompass key breeding sites.
Altitude Range
0–300 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Also known as the Chatham Island tāiko, this gadfly petrel was presumed extinct for over a century before its dramatic rediscovery in the 1970s. It nests in burrows within forested valleys on Chatham Island and returns to colonies only at night. Intensive predator control and habitat protection have slowly improved breeding success. The name “magenta” refers to the Italian ship Magenta on which an early specimen was collected.
19th century illustration
Temperament
secretive, nocturnal at colonies, pelagic
Flight Pattern
dynamic soaring with shearing, stiff-winged glides
Social Behavior
Forms long-term monogamous pairs that nest in deep burrows, typically well separated within forest. Visits to burrows occur at night to avoid predators. Usually lays a single egg per year with a long incubation and chick-rearing period. Strong site fidelity, with adults returning to the same burrow in successive seasons.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Nocturnal calls are haunting, wailing moans and yelps exchanged between mates near the burrow. Flight calls carry over valleys on dark, windy nights. Vocal activity peaks during courtship and early breeding.
Plumage
Dark grey-brown upperparts with a contrasting white underside and flanks lightly mottled grey; bold dark borders to the underwing and a dusky hooded head. Upperwings show a darker M-shaped pattern in flight; tail and rump are dusky. Feathers are sleek and weatherproof, suited to pelagic life.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small squid, fish, and crustaceans captured near the surface. Often forages along oceanic fronts where prey concentrates, and may snatch prey items by dipping or brief surface seizing. Likely exploits diel vertical migrations of prey, feeding more actively at night. Occasionally follows schools of fish or areas of upwelling.
Preferred Environment
Open pelagic waters far from land, especially temperate ocean zones and productive convergence lines. Rarely seen near shore except when commuting to breeding colonies under cover of darkness.
