The Trindade petrel, also known as the Round island petrel, is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is 35–39 cm (14–15 in) in size, with an 88–102 cm (35–40 in) wingspan.
Region
Tropical Atlantic and southwest Indian Ocean
Typical Environment
At sea it occupies warm pelagic waters far from land, often over deep oceanic zones, seamounts, and along productive ocean fronts. It comes ashore only to breed on small, predator-poor islands with steep slopes and sparse vegetation. Nests are placed in burrows, under boulders, or in rock crevices on wind-swept ridges. Outside the breeding season it disperses widely across tropical waters and is seldom seen near coasts except around colonies.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The Trindade petrel, also called the Round Island petrel, is a polymorphic gadfly petrel showing dark, intermediate, and pale morphs. It breeds mainly on remote oceanic islands, nesting in burrows or rock crevices and visiting colonies mostly at night. The Round Island (Mauritius) population is known to include a genetic mix with closely related Pterodroma taxa, but many authorities treat Trindade petrels as part of this complex. They range widely over tropical oceans and can travel hundreds of kilometers on foraging trips.
Temperament
solitary and pelagic
Flight Pattern
dynamic soaring with long arcing glides and quick shearing turns
Social Behavior
Breeds in loose colonies, typically nesting in burrows or rock crevices. Pairs are largely monogamous and may reuse the same site for years. Adults attend colonies mainly at night to reduce predation risk and human disturbance, sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives quavering wails, moans, and chattering calls, mostly at night. In flight offshore it is generally quiet.
Plumage
Highly polymorphic; dark morph is mostly sooty-brown with slightly paler underwings, intermediate morph shows brown-grey upperparts with paler belly, and pale morph has whitish underparts with a contrasting darker M-pattern across the upperwings. All morphs have long, narrow wings and a tapered tail suited to dynamic soaring.
Diet
Feeds mainly on small fish, squid, and other cephalopods, and will also take crustaceans. It usually seizes prey from the surface or just below, occasionally following predatory fish or marine mammals that drive prey upward. It may gather in loose flocks over productive patches and will sometimes attend fishing vessels for discards.
Preferred Environment
Forages over deep tropical waters, ocean fronts, and around seamounts and shelf edges where upwelling concentrates prey. Near breeding islands it often exploits nearby productive waters but ranges widely during long foraging trips.
