The providence petrel is a large and heavy build gadfly petrel that nests in two locations in the Tasman Sea: Lord Howe Island and Philip Island.
Region
Tasman Sea and Southwest Pacific
Typical Environment
Outside the breeding season this species is pelagic, roaming widely over the Tasman Sea and adjacent subtropical Pacific, often along productive fronts and shelf edges. It returns to nest in burrows on forested slopes and summit plateaus of Lord Howe Island, with a recovering colony on Phillip Island in the Norfolk Island group. Breeding habitat includes deep, friable soils under tree roots and fern cover in subtropical cloud-forest and scrub. At sea it forages over open water, occasionally approaching coastal waters during strong winds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 875 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Providence Petrel is a large, heavy-bodied gadfly petrel that breeds mainly on Lord Howe Island and has re-established on Phillip Island (Norfolk Island group). It was once heavily harvested by early settlers, and is famous for responding to human calls at breeding sites. Today it benefits from predator control and habitat protection but remains vulnerable due to its extremely restricted breeding range. At sea it ranges widely across the Tasman Sea and nearby Pacific waters.
Temperament
social and vocal at colonies, otherwise unobtrusive at sea
Flight Pattern
dynamic soaring with long glides interspersed with short, rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Monogamous pairs return to the same burrow each year and lay a single egg. Both parents share incubation and feed the chick by regurgitation. Birds visit colonies mostly at night, congregating noisily over slopes before landing and moving to burrows.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At breeding sites it gives haunting moans, wails, and yelping calls, especially at dusk and during the night. Birds often respond to nearby calls, creating a chorus over the colony. At sea it is generally quiet.
