Olson's petrel, also known as the small Saint Helena petrel or the Saint Helena Bulwer's petrel, is an extinct species of seabird in the family Procellariidae. It was endemic to Saint Helena.
Region
South Atlantic Ocean
Typical Environment
Endemic breeder on Saint Helena, using coastal cliffs and arid rocky slopes for nesting. At sea it would have ranged widely over surrounding pelagic waters, following productive fronts and upwellings. Nesting likely occurred in burrows or natural crevices on sparsely vegetated coastal terrain where access to the open ocean was immediate. After breeding, individuals probably dispersed broadly over the tropical to subtropical South Atlantic.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Olson's petrel, also called the small Saint Helena petrel or Saint Helena Bulwer's petrel, is known only from subfossil remains and historical accounts. It bred on the remote island of Saint Helena and likely went extinct soon after human settlement due to introduced predators and habitat disturbance. Like other Bulweria petrels, it probably nested in burrows or rock crevices and returned to colonies at night. Its life at sea would have been highly pelagic, foraging far from land.
Temperament
pelagic and nocturnal at colonies
Flight Pattern
buoyant flier with rapid, elastic wingbeats and long glides
Social Behavior
Likely nested in loose colonies or small groups in burrows or natural rock crevices. Pairs were probably monogamous, laying a single egg and returning to colonies after dark to avoid predators. Adults alternated incubation and chick-rearing duties and showed strong site fidelity.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
At night around colonies, calls would have been soft, chattering whistles typical of small petrels. At sea it was mostly quiet, vocalizing primarily near nest sites.
