Mottled Petrel

The Mottled Petrel, or kōrure, is a medium-sized seabird with a length of 33 to 35 cm and a wingspan ranging from 74 to 82 cm. Its plumage is characterized by a mottled pattern, which gives this species its common name.

Identification Tips

When observing the Mottled Petrel, look for its distinctive mottled grey and white plumage. The bird's flight is typically swift and agile, with rapid wingbeats that are a hallmark of the gadfly petrels.

Habitat

This species is highly pelagic, spending most of its life at sea. It only comes ashore to breed and rear its young.

Distribution

The Mottled Petrel is a transequatorial migrant, breeding in the islands of New Zealand and migrating to the northern Pacific Ocean. It is often found in the Bering Sea, particularly concentrating in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.

Behaviour

The Mottled Petrel is known for its pelagic lifestyle, rarely approaching land except for breeding. It is a skilled flier, capable of covering vast distances across the ocean.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Mottled Petrel primarily consists of fish and squid, with occasional crustaceans also being consumed.

Breeding

For nesting, the Mottled Petrel utilizes burrows and rock crevices. These sites provide shelter for their offspring away from the open sea.

Conservation status

The Mottled Petrel is currently classified as Near Threatened. Its population has declined due to predation by introduced mammals. Efforts have been made to reintroduce chicks to safer habitats, such as the Maungaharuru hills in Hawke's Bay, which are 24 km from the sea.