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Petrels, Shearwaters, Diving Petrels

The Procellariidae family, encompassing fulmarine petrels, gadfly petrels, diving petrels, prions, and shearwaters, have a significant presence within the order Procellariiformes, also known as tubenoses, which includes albatrosses and storm petrels. With great diversity and numerous species, these seabirds range from the large giant petrels, comparable to albatrosses, to the much smaller diving petrels. Both male and female procellariids appear identical and typically exhibit muted colors such as black, white, brown, and gray within their plumage. These birds are predominantly adept swimmers and foragers, feeding on fish, squid, crustaceans, and sometimes scavenging leftovers from fisheries or carrion. They are efficient at long-distance foraging and many migrate across equatorial distances. When breeding, procellariids are known to show loyalty to both their partners and nesting sites, laying a single egg that both parents take turns incubating. Despite this, not all species fare well; while some procellariids have burgeoning populations, others are endangered, threatened by predation from introduced species in their breeding habitats and by bycatch in long-line fisheries. Historically, these birds have been exploited by humans for food and other uses, yet this practice persists on a more regulated scale today. Taxonomic studies have reshaped the understanding of their relationship within Procellariiformes, grouping the diving petrels into the same family due to genetic studies. Different procellariid groups are linked by characteristics such as skull features or diving abilities, and despite their varied appearances and habits, they share certain traits like weak legs and specific flight adaptations that assist them in their oceanic lives. They employ dynamic and slope soaring techniques to glide over waves and winds, with some species possessing a special shoulder-lock that aids in effortless flight. The family is spread across the world's oceans and undertakes remarkable migrations, but many species are restricted to isolated regions or specific latitudes. With well-developed senses, particularly for smell, they are able to locate their prey with astonishing accuracy. Though their relationship with humans has sometimes been detrimental, conservation efforts are underway to mitigate threats and protect the more vulnerable species.

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Categories

A photo of a Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica)

Antarctic Petrel

Thalassoica antarctica
A photo of a Antarctic Prion (Pachyptila desolata)

Antarctic Prion

Pachyptila desolata

Bannerman's Shearwater

Puffinus bannermani

Beck's Petrel

Pseudobulweria becki
A photo of a Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata)

Black-capped Petrel

Pterodroma hasitata
A photo of a Black Petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni)

Black Petrel

Procellaria parkinsoni

Black-winged Petrel

Pterodroma nigripennis

Blue Petrel

Halobaena caerulea

Bonin Petrel

Pterodroma hypoleuca

Broad-billed Prion

Pachyptila vittata

Bryan's Shearwater

Puffinus bryani
A photo of a Buller's Shearwater (Ardenna bulleri)

Buller's Shearwater

Ardenna bulleri
A photo of a Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii)

Bulwer's Petrel

Bulweria bulwerii
A photo of a Cape Petrel (Daption capense)

Cape Petrel

Daption capense

Chatham Petrel

Pterodroma axillaris

Christmas Shearwater

Puffinus nativitatis

Collared Petrel

Pterodroma brevipes

Common Diving Petrel

Pelecanoides urinatrix
A photo of a Cook's Petrel (Pterodroma cookii)

Cook's Petrel

Pterodroma cookii
A photo of a Cory's Shearwater (Calonectris borealis)

Cory's Shearwater

Calonectris borealis
A photo of a Fairy Prion (Pachyptila turtur)

Fairy Prion

Pachyptila turtur

Fiji Petrel

Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi
A photo of a Flesh-footed Shearwater (Ardenna carneipes)

Flesh-footed Shearwater

Ardenna carneipes
A photo of a Fluttering Shearwater (Puffinus gavia)

Fluttering Shearwater

Puffinus gavia
A photo of a Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

Fulmar

Fulmarus glacialis

Fulmar Prion

Pachyptila crassirostris

Gould's Petrel

Pterodroma leucoptera
A photo of a Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)

Great Shearwater

Ardenna gravis
A photo of a Grey-faced Petrel (Pterodroma gouldi)

Grey-faced Petrel

Pterodroma gouldi
A photo of a Grey Petrel (Procellaria cinerea)

Grey Petrel

Procellaria cinerea

Hawaiian Petrel

Pterodroma sandwichensis

Heinroth's Shearwater

Puffinus heinrothi

Henderson Petrel

Pterodroma atrata

Herald Petrel

Pterodroma heraldica
A photo of a Hutton's Shearwater (Puffinus huttoni)

Hutton's Shearwater

Puffinus huttoni
A photo of a Jouanin's Petrel (Bulweria fallax)

Jouanin's Petrel

Bulweria fallax

Juan Fernandez Petrel

Pterodroma externa

Kerguelen Petrel

Aphrodroma brevirostris

Kermadec Petrel

Pterodroma neglecta

Little Shearwater

Puffinus assimilis

Magenta Petrel

Pterodroma magentae
A photo of a Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)

Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinus
A photo of a Mottled Petrel (Pterodroma inexpectata)

Mottled Petrel

Pterodroma inexpectata

Murphy's Petrel

Pterodroma ultima

Newell's Shearwater

Puffinus newelli
A photo of a Northern Giant Petrel (Macronectes halli)

Northern Giant Petrel

Macronectes halli

Phoenix Petrel

Pterodroma alba
A photo of a Pink-footed Shearwater (Ardenna creatopus)

Pink-footed Shearwater

Ardenna creatopus
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AccentorsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian RobinsAustralasian WarblersBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCockatoosCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansFantailsFinches, EuphoniasFlowerpeckersFrigatebirdsFrogmouthsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsHoneyeatersHoopoesHornbillsIbises, SpoonbillsJacanasKaguKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesKiwisLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLongspurs, Snow BuntingsLoonsMegapodesMockingbirds, ThrashersMonarchsNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World WarblersNew Zealand ParrotsNew Zealand WattlebirdsNew Zealand WrensNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOwlet-nightjarsOwlsOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStitchbirdStone-curlews, Thick-kneesSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsTanagers & AlliesThrushesTreeswiftsTropicbirdsTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWhistlers & AlliesWhite-eyesWhiteheadsWoodswallows, Butcherbirds & Allies

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