Kerguelen Petrel

The Kerguelen petrel, a member of the Procellariidae family, is a small seabird with a length of 36 cm. It boasts a slate-grey plumage and is the sole species within the genus Aphrodroma. This pelagic bird is a circumpolar resident of the Southern Ocean, known for its seafaring lifestyle.

Identification Tips

When observing the Kerguelen petrel, look for its short bill, which is a distinctive feature among its relatives. Its overall slate-grey coloration is another key characteristic that aids in its identification.

Habitat

The Kerguelen petrel is a pelagic species, which means it spends the majority of its life on the open ocean, far from land.

Distribution

This seabird has a circumpolar distribution in the Southern Ocean. It breeds on various remote southern Atlantic and Indian Ocean islands.

Breeding

Breeding takes place colonially on isolated islands. Notable breeding grounds include Gough Island in the Atlantic and Marion Island, Prince Edward Island, Crozet Islands, and Kerguelen Island in the Indian Ocean. The Kerguelen petrel nests nocturnally, preferring burrows in wet soil that are typically oriented away from prevailing winds. Each breeding season, a single, unusually round egg is laid. Both parents share the responsibility of incubating the egg for 49 days. Once hatched, the chick takes about 60 days to fledge.

Similar Species

While the Kerguelen petrel was once grouped with the gadfly petrels in the genus Pterodroma, it is now recognized as the only species in the genus Aphrodroma, making it quite unique in its appearance and characteristics.

Diet and Feeding

There is no specific information provided about the diet and feeding habits of the Kerguelen petrel in the source content. However, as a member of the Procellariidae family, it likely feeds on a diet consisting of squid, fish, and crustaceans, captured from the ocean surface or just below it.

Conservation status

The Kerguelen petrel is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it is not at immediate risk of population decline or extinction.