Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a Westland Petrel (Procellaria westlandica)
Westland Petrel

Westland Petrel

Procellaria westlandica

The Westland petrel, known to the Māori as tāiko, is a robust seabird of the petrel family Procellariidae, endemic to New Zealand. It is a dark blackish-brown bird, one of the largest burrowing petrels, with a pale yellow bill tipped in dark hues. Weighing in at approximately 1,100 grams, it boasts black legs and feet, and may occasionally display a smattering of white feathers.

Identification Tips

Adult Westland petrels are stocky and predominantly dark blackish-brown. Their legs and feet are black, and they have a distinctive pale yellow bill with a dark tip. Males are slightly larger than females, though females may weigh marginally more. During the non-breeding season, they undergo a molt which occurs while they migrate to South American waters.

Habitat

The Westland petrel is a pelagic bird that spends the majority of its life at sea. It is found in the Pacific and Tasman seas around the subtropical convergence and migrates east to the nutrient-rich Humboldt Current off South America during the non-breeding season.

Distribution

This species is endemic to New Zealand, breeding exclusively on the South Island's West Coast in a narrow strip of forest-covered coastal foothills. The total area of all breeding colonies combined is a mere 16 hectares.

Behaviour

Westland petrels exhibit natal philopatry, returning to their birth colony to breed. They nest in burrows on steep slopes and are winter breeders. The birds are solitary at sea but become social and vocal in their colonies during courtship and mating.

Song & Calls

The colonies are particularly vocal approximately three weeks before nesting, which is part of their courtship and mating rituals.

Breeding

The Westland petrel breeds in burrows, with colonies situated from 50 to 200 meters above sea level. They lay a single egg annually between May and June, with both parents sharing incubation duties. Chicks are cared for by the parents for about two weeks post-hatching and are then left alone, fed only at night until fledging.

Diet and Feeding

These petrels forage both day and night, feeding mainly on fish, squid, and crustaceans. They are opportunistic feeders, known to scavenge fish waste from hoki fisheries during the breeding season. They employ surface seizing and diving techniques to capture prey, diving to depths of up to 8 meters.

Conservation status

The Westland petrel is classified as Endangered by the IUCN and "At Risk: Naturally Uncommon" by the New Zealand Department of Conservation. Conservation efforts include local patrols during fledging season and initiatives to reduce artificial light pollution that disorients the birds.

Similar Species

The Westland petrel can be confused with the black petrel, Procellaria parkinsoni, but can be distinguished by its larger size and the specific pale yellow coloration of its bill.

Threats

The species faces several threats including predation by feral pigs and dogs, storm damage to breeding colonies, artificial lighting disorienting birds, mining activities, parasites, diseases, and collisions with power lines. Conservation measures are in place to mitigate these threats.

Relationship with Humans

The return of the Westland petrel to its breeding sites is celebrated annually in Punakaiki with the Tāiko Festival. Ecotourism opportunities are available for observing these birds at a breeding colony on private land. Historically, the chicks have been harvested for food, a practice known as muttonbirding.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

Westland Petrels on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
🐒
Vaidhussen Acbarly
05 Oct 2024 - 6:29pm
New Zealand

More Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Paul F
Very good database
Highly recommend. It great that this app shows you male Vs female variations when posting. Very good database I'm really impressed.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Leonie
We've been waiting for an App like this
Excellent! We've been waiting for an app like this! Thank you! It would be nice if you could assign additional birds to sessions later!
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.