Zino's petrel or the freira, is a species of small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, endemic to the island of Madeira. This long-winged petrel has a grey back and wings, with a dark "W" marking across the wings, and a grey upper tail. The undersides of the wings are blackish apart from a triangle of white at the front edge near the body, and the belly is white with grey flanks. It is very similar in appearance to the slightly larger Fea's petrel, and separating these two Macaronesian species at sea is very challenging. It was formerly considered to be a subspecies of the soft-plumaged petrel, P. mollis, but they are not closely related, and Zino's was raised to the status of a species because of differences in morphology, calls, breeding behaviour and mitochondrial DNA. It is one of Europe's most endangered seabirds, with breeding areas restricted to a few ledges high in the central mountains of Madeira.
Region
Macaronesia and adjacent Northeast Atlantic
Typical Environment
At sea it ranges across the Northeast Atlantic around Madeira and occasionally near the Azores and Canaries, foraging over deep pelagic waters. It frequents oceanic fronts and shelf edges where prey concentrates. On land it is confined to a handful of steep, rocky ledges and montane heath in central Madeira. Adults attend colonies only at night to reduce predation risk. Outside the breeding season it disperses widely over the open ocean.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1860 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Zino's petrel, or freira, is Europe's rarest breeding seabird, nesting only on a few ledges high in Madeira's central mountains. It returns to its colonies strictly at night and nests in burrows, making it elusive. After a devastating wildfire in 2010, intensive conservation, including predator control and habitat restoration, has helped the population recover. It is named after conservationist Paul Alexander Zino.
Illustration of species
Track to the breeding ledges
Chick at several weeks old
Temperament
solitary and pelagic
Flight Pattern
buoyant with rapid wingbeats and arcing glides; dynamic-soaring over waves
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially but in very small, scattered groups on inaccessible ledges. Pairs are long-term and nest in burrows, laying a single egg. Adults visit colonies only at night and are highly philopatric.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives eerie, wailing calls and yelps, mostly at night. Calls are quavering and far-carrying, with sex-specific differences in pitch and cadence. Silent at sea.
