ID Keys: Large size, dark plumage overall, pale thick bill, variable
amount of white on chin and throat
The
White-chinned Petrel, also known in some locations as the "Shoemaker
Petrel", is a large petrel species of the Southern Hemisphere. They
breed on a number of subantarctic islands across the southern oceans, but
disperse more widely after the breeding season. However, non-breeding
birds typically are found well south of the equator, and they are only very
rare vagrants to the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, they are
known from a handful of sightings off the coast of California. The
White-chinned Petrel and the Spectacled Petrel were considered the same
species until 2004. They are considered one of the most vulnerable species
to mortality from longline fisheries, and populations have declined sharply
in recent decades.
Habitat
Found on subantarctic islands when
breeding, using islands with soils suitable for building nesting burrows.
Outside of the breeding season, found through Southern Hemisphere oceans,
from subtropical waters to waters of Antarctica. Generally stays over
relatively cold currents and over the continental shelf, and the highest
concentrations of non-breeding birds are relatively close to breeding
colonies.
Diet
Feeds mostly on fish, krill, and squid, as
well as amphipods and other small marine life.
Behavior
Forages by swimming and seizing food
items from near the ocean's surface. They also can dive underwater
after prey. They will very actively pursue and follow fishing vessels
for discarded offal, but are also susceptible to being caught on long-line
fishing hooks.
Nesting
The White-chinned Petrel is the largest
petrel species to nest in burrows. The female lays a single egg, and
both parents help to incubate it. Upon hatching, both the male and
female tend to the nestling and help feed it.
Song
Usually silent at sea, but makes a very loud
and shrill chattering sound while on breeding colonies.
Migration
Widely distributed breeding
colonies exists throughout the sub-Antarctic islands, with breeding
colonies in the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, islands south
of New Zealand, and islands south of Africa. Outside of the breeding
season, White-chinned Petrels range widely in the southern Hemisphere,
from subtropical waters to cold waters near Antarctica. They are
only rarely found north of the equator.
For the rare sightings in North America, the large size, all dark plumage,
and pale bill make this species unlikely to be confused with another Petrel
species.
Conservation Status
Global populations have been
rapidly declining. White-chinned Petrels often are caught as bycatch
of long-line fisheries. In addition, breeding habitats have been
negatively impacted by introduced predators.
The IUCN lists the
White-chinned Petrel as a "Vulnerable" species.
