The Tahiti petrel is a medium-sized, dark brown and white seabird found across the Pacific Ocean. The species comprises two subspecies: P. r. rostrata which breeds in the west-central Pacific Ocean, and P. r. trouessarti which breeds in the tropical and subtropical Pacific Ocean. The Tahiti petrel belongs to the Procellariidae family and is the most studied member of the Pseudobulweria genus which comprises three critically endangered species. Similarly, the Tahiti petrel is considered near threatened by the 2018 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Threats include introduced rats, feral cats, pigs, dogs, nickel mining, and light pollution.
Region
Tropical Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
Occurs widely over warm pelagic waters from the central to western tropical Pacific, returning to breed on a limited number of oceanic islands. Breeding colonies are on steep volcanic slopes and ridgelines with forest or dense shrub cover. Nests are placed in burrows, cavities, or rock crevices with good drainage. At sea it ranges far from land, often foraging along productive fronts and around schools of predatory fish.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Tahiti petrel is a tubenose seabird that nests in burrows on steep, forested tropical islands and forages far offshore. It is largely nocturnal at breeding colonies, a behavior that helps avoid predators but makes it vulnerable to light pollution and fallout. Two subspecies are recognized and the species is the best-studied member of the genus Pseudobulweria. Major threats include introduced mammals, habitat disturbance from mining, and disorientation from artificial lights.
Tahiti petrel photographed off the Gold Coast of south east Queensland, Australia
Temperament
solitary at sea, social at colonies
Flight Pattern
soaring glider with stiff, shallow wingbeats and sweeping arcs over waves
Social Behavior
Breeds in colonies or loose aggregations, nesting in burrows or crevices. Largely nocturnal at colonies, arriving and departing under cover of darkness. Pairs are likely long-term, sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties. Chicks are fed infrequently but with rich meals, leading to slow development typical of petrels.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives mournful, wailing calls and yelping notes, often exchanged in duets as birds circle or move through burrow entrances. Vocal activity peaks at night, with softer grunts and moans heard near nest sites.
Plumage
Sooty-brown upperparts and head contrasting with clean white belly and vent; underwings pale with broad dark margins. Feathers appear smooth and slightly glossy above, with crisp demarcation to the white underparts.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish, squid, and other cephalopods, and occasionally crustaceans. Typically takes prey from the surface or just below it, sometimes in association with predatory fish that drive prey upward. May scavenge natural carrion or fishery discards opportunistically. Foraging is wide-ranging over deep oceanic waters.
Preferred Environment
Open pelagic zones far from land, particularly along upwellings, fronts, and areas with schooling fish. Rarely approaches shore except when commuting to colonies at night.
