Bird of the day
Tahiti petrel
Pseudobulweria rostrata
The Tahiti petrel (Pseudobulweria rostrata) 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.
Adult Tahiti petrels are between 315 and 506 g and have wingspans averaging 104.5 cm long whereas their overall length is between 38-42 cm. The species is identifiable by its wedge-shaped tail, long wings and neck, small head, black, stout, and bulbous bill, dark brown eyes, and dark elongated body with white abdomen. In addition, adults are mostly dark brown with darker hoods and paler rumps. Their underwings have a faint white line along the middle with slightly paler flight feathers. Juveniles are similar to adults in plumage and females usually have smaller measurements.At long ranges, the species might be hard to identify from other petrels that overlap their geographic distribution. The biggest difference is usually in the narrower wings of the Tahiti petrel which are fully perpendicular to the body and straight in flight, more closely resembling an albatross. On the other hand, the Phoenix petrel (Pterodroma alba), a similar but smaller petrel, flies with wings more forward and bent. From closer ranges, the Tahiti petrel is distinct from the Phoenix petrel due to the latter's larger bill, lack of white line on underwings, and paler tail. In addition, the Atlantic petrel (Pterodroma incerta) is sometimes confused for the Tahiti petrel due to its similar white abdomen. However, the Atlantic petrel can be identified by its brown undertail, dark patch around the eye, and plain underwings.
Aliases
Pseudobulweria rostrata
Range
