Black Petrel

The black petrel, known to the Māori as tāiko or tākoketai, is a medium-sized seabird with a uniform black plumage. This smallest member of the Procellaria genus is distinguished by its dark legs and bill, the latter featuring pale sections. Males typically weigh around 720 grams, while females are slightly lighter at approximately 680 grams. The bird's length is about 46 centimeters, and it boasts a wingspan of 115 centimeters.

Identification Tips

When identifying the black petrel, look for its all-black body, which extends to its legs and bill, save for the pale areas on the bill. Its size is moderate compared to other petrels, and its flight is characterized by powerful wingbeats.

Habitat

The black petrel is a pelagic bird, spending much of its life at sea. It is known to breed on Great Barrier Island and Little Barrier Island, off the coast of New Zealand's North Island.

Distribution

Endemic to New Zealand, the black petrel once nested throughout the North Island and parts of the South Island but is now confined to its offshore islands due to predation. At sea, it ranges widely, from the east coast of Australia to the coasts of South America, including the Galapagos Islands.

Behaviour

The black petrel exhibits a strong fidelity to its breeding site, with males returning annually to the same burrow and attempting to re-pair with previous mates or attract new ones. The species is known for its long-distance foraging trips, with one individual recorded to have traveled for 39 days.

Breeding

Breeding occurs from October to June in the Hauraki Gulf. The black petrel is monogamous, with pairs sharing the duty of incubating a single egg for 57 days. Chicks fledge after 107 days, and the survival rate to fledging is about 75%. After the breeding season, adults and chicks migrate to South American waters for the winter.

Diet and Feeding

Black petrels are opportunistic feeders, hunting both day and night, unlike albatrosses which do not feed in the dark. They are known to follow fishing boats and may dive up to 20 meters to snatch bait from longline hooks.

Conservation status

The black petrel is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN and Nationally Vulnerable by the DOC Threat Classification System. The population is declining at a rate of at least 1.4% per year. Threats include commercial and recreational fishing, where they are at risk of being caught on longline hooks, and predation by feral pigs and cats on their breeding islands. Conservation efforts are ongoing, including monitoring and protection of their breeding sites.