Soft-plumaged Petrel

The soft-plumaged petrel, Pterodroma mollis, presents itself as a medium-sized seabird, cloaked in a dark grey and white plumage. Its wings, narrow and pointed, along with a distinct tail, are characteristic in flight. A dark grey head is adorned with white feathers on the cheeks and throat, and a speckling of white on the forehead, punctuated by a prominent dark eye patch. The bird's underside is predominantly white, transitioning to dark grey at the underwings.

Identification Tips

Observers should note the soft-plumaged petrel's black bill, measuring 25–32 mm, ending in a sharp hook, and its pink legs with black on the outer webs and toes. The white speckling on the forehead and the dark eye patch are key features for identification.

Distribution

The soft-plumaged petrel breeds on islands scattered across the Southern Hemisphere, with colonies on Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, the Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Macquarie Island, and the Antipodes Islands of New Zealand. A smaller number nest in the Maatsuyker Island Group of southern Tasmania. Outside the breeding season, they disperse, reaching eastern South America as far north as Brazil, southern Africa, and Australia. Vagrant sightings have been recorded in Israel, Norway, and Jordan.

Behaviour

Both sexes of the soft-plumaged petrel are known to be vocal, emitting medium-pitched moans and shrill squeaks that can be heard during their active periods.

Similar Species

This species was once considered conspecific with Fea's petrel (P. feae), Desertas petrel (P. desertae), and Zino's petrel (P. madeira) of the North Atlantic, which are now recognized as separate species. Observers should take care to note the specific field marks and range when distinguishing between these species.

Conservation status

The soft-plumaged petrel is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, indicating that, at present, there are no immediate threats to its population numbers that would warrant a higher level of concern.