The soft-plumaged petrel is a species of seabird in the family Procellariidae.
Region
South Atlantic and Indian Oceans
Typical Environment
This species breeds on remote subantarctic islands, including the Tristan da Cunha–Gough group, the Prince Edward and Marion Islands, the Crozet and Kerguelen archipelagos, and nearby island groups. Away from colonies it ranges widely over temperate southern oceans, often far offshore over deep pelagic waters. It frequents productive frontal systems and shelf edges where upwellings concentrate prey. Breeding sites are on vegetated slopes, tussock grasslands, and rocky scree where they dig burrows or use natural crevices.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The soft-plumaged petrel is a gadfly petrel that spends most of its life far from land, returning to subantarctic islands only to breed. Like other tubenoses, it uses an acute sense of smell to locate food and its own burrow at night. Adults are highly philopatric and may traverse entire ocean basins between breeding and non-breeding seasons.
Temperament
solitary and pelagic
Flight Pattern
soaring glider using dynamic soaring with swift, stiff-winged arcs
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially but visits colonies mostly at night to avoid predators. Nests in burrows or rock crevices, where pairs are monogamous and share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Typically lays a single egg per season and returns to the same burrow in successive years.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Generally silent at sea, but around colonies gives moaning, wailing, and chattering calls, most often at night. Vocalizations are used for pair contact and territory within the dark colony environment.
