Black-capped Petrel

The Black-capped Petrel, or Pterodroma hasitata, is a small seabird of the West Indies, known colloquially as the diablotín. It is a member of the genus Pterodroma, characterized by its long wings and distinctive coloration. The upperparts are a grey-brown, while the nape and rump are white. The underparts are predominantly white, with a contrasting black cap that may extend over the eye in some individuals, and dark markings under the wings.

Identification Tips

This species is large for a gadfly petrel, measuring approximately 16 inches in length with a wingspan of 37 inches. It can be distinguished from the smaller Bermuda petrel by its broader white rump patch and lack of an extensive gray cowl. The great shearwater is another similar species but can be differentiated by its size and plumage details. The black-capped petrel's nocturnal habits and eerie mating calls have earned it the name "little devil" among locals.

Habitat

The Black-capped Petrel is a pelagic bird that is rarely seen on land except during the breeding season. It nests in remote highland areas of islands, preferring forested cliffs for its burrows.

Distribution

Historically, this petrel bred on the steep mountainsides of the Greater Antilles, but now confirmed breeding areas are limited to the high mountains of Hispaniola, with recent nesting confirmed on Dominica. Its primary foraging area is the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, with most birds found off the coast of the United States from Florida to North Carolina. Sightings have been recorded as far north and east as Europe.

Behaviour

The Black-capped Petrel is strictly nocturnal on its breeding grounds, likely to evade predators such as gulls, hawks, and crows. Its walking ability is limited, and it shuffles to its nest burrow. At sea, it may join loose flocks with other seabirds and is known to pick food items like squid from the ocean surface.

Song & Calls

The petrel is known for its odd-sounding mating calls at night, which have been associated with the presence of evil spirits by local folklore. It also produces various croaks and sounds while foraging.

Breeding

Nesting occurs in burrows on forested cliffs, with eggs typically laid in January and hatching in March. Fledglings leave the nest around June or July.

Similar Species

The Bermuda petrel and the great shearwater are similar species within the Black-capped Petrel's range. The critically endangered or possibly extinct Jamaica petrel was a related dark form.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists mainly of ocean surface items such as squid.

Conservation Status

The Black-capped Petrel is classified as Endangered. Once abundant, its numbers have dwindled, making it one of the most endangered seabirds in the North Atlantic. Threats include habitat loss, introduced predators, and direct harvesting. Conservation efforts focus on preserving forest cover around nesting areas and monitoring for burrows. There are concerns that hydrocarbon exploration could further impact its survival. In 2018, the US Fish and Wildlife Service proposed listing the species as threatened, with a new comment period opened in May 2023 due to increased threat levels.