Southern Giant Petrel. Photo copyright of Ron Saldino.
Conservation rankings are from the preliminary
guidelines set out by BirdLife International and posted to Seabirds Internet
discussion group by John Cooper.
| Systematics and evolution of the Fulmars and
Petrels
The state of petrel taxonomy is nicely summarized by del Hoyo et al. (Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol 1, pg. 216), who state: 'The taxonomy of the Procellaridae is extraordinarily complex , and it is consequently subject to frequent revisions, and more than its fair share of polemic.' It is generally accepted that the Family Procellariidae can be split into four broad groupings; the fulmars (Fulmarus), the gadfly-petrels (Pterodroma), the prions (Pachyptila) and the shearwaters (Puffinus). However, within these convenient groupings there are many real problems and uncertainties. Indeed a number of revolutionary changes have been suggested, some based on good reasoning. |
Southern Giant Petrel. Photo copyright of Ron Saldino.
Giant Petrels and Fulmars |
| While the Fulmars and Giant Petrels show significant size and plumage differences there are strong affinties in terms of diet and ecology. This group comprises two sibling species; the two Giant petrels (long considered as conspecific) and the two Fulmars. It is very likely that this group evolved in the southern hemisphere and that the Northern Fulmar reflects a subsequent colonization of the northern hemisphere. Whether the Cape Petrel, Antarctic Petrel and Snow Petrel should be included within this group is debatable and are therefore kept separate here. |
Macronectes giganteus Southern
Giant Petrel (new candidate for consideration)
Monotypic
Also known as Antarctic Giant-Petrel, Giant Fulmar
and Stinker
Macronectes halli Northern
Giant Petrel (NEAR THREATENED)
Monotypic
Also known as Hall's Giant-Petrel
Fulmarus glacialis Northern
Fulmar
F. g. glacialis
F. g. auduboni
F. g. rodgersii
Also known as Arctic Fulmar
Fulmarus glacialoides Southern
Fulmar
Monotypic
Also known as Antarctic Fulmar, Silver-grey Fulmar,
Slender-billed Fulmar, Silver-grey Petrel
'Pterodroma' Petrels |
| The gadfly-petrels comprise between 30 and 40 species of medium-sized tubenosed seabirds. Many are poorly known and are threatened or even endangered. Although it seems incredible nowadays, the breeding grounds of at least two species remain to be discovered. |
Thalassoica antartica Antarctic
Petrel
Monotypic
Also known as Antarctic Fulmar (!)
Daption capense Cape
Petrel
D. c. capense
D. c. australe
Also known as Cape Pigeon, Cape Fulmar, Pintado,
Pied Petrel, Spotted Petrel and Black-and-white Petrel
Pagodroma nivea Snow
Petrel
P. n. nivea
P. n. confusa
Also known as Snowy Petrel
Pterodroma macroptera Great-winged
Petrel
P. m. macroptera
P. m. gouldi
Also known as Grey-faced Petrel, Long-winged Petrel,
Long-winged Fulmar
Pterodroma brevirostris Kerguelen Petrel
Monotypic
Also known as Little Black Petrel or Short-billed
Petrel
Pterodroma aterrima Mascarene
Petrel (CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Also known as Mascarene Black Petrel or Reunion
Petrel
Pterodroma becki Beck's
Petrel (CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Formerly considered as a race of Tahiti Petrel
Pterodroma rostrata Tahiti
Petrel
P. r. rostrata
P. r. trouessarti
Pterodroma macgillivrayi Fiji
Petrel (CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Also known as Macgillivray's Petrel
Pterodroma axillaris Chatham Islands Petrel
(CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Pterodroma cervicalis White-necked Petrel
(VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Also known as White-naped Petrel, Black-capped
Petrel (confusing!), Sunday Island Petrel
Pterodroma nigripennis Black-winged Petrel
Monotypic
Pterodroma inexpectata Mottled
Petrel
Monotypic
Sometimes refered to as Peale's Petrel or Scaled
Petrel
Pterodroma hypoleuca Bonin Petrel
Monotypic
Also known as Stout-billed Petrel
Pterodroma leucoptera Gould's Petrel (new
candidate for consideration)
P. l. leucoptera
P. l. caledonica
Also known as White-winged Petrel, Sooty-capped
Petrel, White-throated Petrel
Pterodroma cookii Cook's Petrel (VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Blue-footed Petrel
Pterodroma pycrofti Pycroft's Petrel (VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Formerly grouped with Stejneger's Petrel
Pterodroma brevipes Collared Petrel
Monotypic
Formerly considered a subspecies of Gould's Petrel
Pterodroma defilippiana Defilippe's Petrel
(VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Also known as Mas a Tierra Petrel
Pterodroma longirostris Stejneger's Petrel (new candidate for consideration)
Pterodroma alba Phoenix Petrel
Monotypic
Pterodroma heraldica Herald
Petrel
Monotypic
Pterodroma arminjoniana Trinidade
Petrel
Monotypic
Formerly considered a subspecies of Herald Petrel
Pterodroma atrata Henderson Petrel (new
candidate for consideration)
Monotypic
Formerly a subspecies of Herald Petrel??
Pterodroma sandwichensis Hawaiian Petrel
(VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Formerly lumped with P. phaeopygia as Dark-rumped
Petrel
Also known as Uau
Pterodroma phaeopygia Galapagos
Petrel (CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Formerly lumped with P. sandwichensis as Dark-rumped
Petrel
Pterodroma neglecta Kermadec
Petrel
P. n. neglecta
P. n. juana
Also known as Variable Petrel
Pterodroma externa Juan
Fernandez Petrel (new candidate for consideration)
Monotypic
Formerly considered subspecies of White-necked
Petrel
Also known as Pacific Petrel
Pterodroma baraui Barau's
Petrel (CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Pterodroma ultima Murphy's Petrel
Monotypic
Pterodroma solandri Providence Petrel (VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Also known as Solander's Petrel, Brown-headed Petrel or
Bird of Providence, Big Hill mutton bird
Pterodroma phillipii Mount
Pit Petrel (PRESUMED EXTINCT)
Monotypic
Also known as Norfolk Island Petrel
Pterodroma magentae Magenta
Petrel (CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Also known as Taiko or Chatham Island Taiko
Pterodroma lessonii White-headed
Petrel
Monotypic
Also known as White-headed Fulmar
Pterodroma madeira Zino's
Petrel (CRITICAL)
Monotypic
Also known as Madeira Petrel or Freira
Pterodroma feae Fea's
Petrel (VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Also known as Gon-gon or Cape Verde Petrel
Pterodroma mollis Soft-plumaged Petrel
P. m. mollis
P. m. fusca
Also known as Soft-plumaged Fulmar
Pterodroma incerta Atlantic
Petrel (VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Also known as Schlegel's Petrel or Hooded Petrel
Pterodroma cahow Bermuda
Petrel (ENDANGERED)
Monotypic
Also known as Cahow
Pterodroma hasitata Black-capped
Petrel (ENDANGERED)
Monotypic
Also known as Diablotin or Capped Petrel
Pterodroma caribbaea Jamaica Petrel (CRITICAL/EXTINCT?)
Monotypic
Sometimes considered race of Black-capped Petrel
Prions |
| 'In the whole order of Procellariiformes
there is probably no other aggregation of closely related species which
has been so confused in the literature as these petrels. Not only are there
several synonyms for most of the specific names now believed to have prior
claims over others but, moreover, these names, through misinterpretation
or misidentification, have become transposed from one species to the next
in a manner which is bewildering if not altogether hopeless. I believe
it is fair to say that about half of the older Museum specimens of these
birds which I have examined have at one time or another been incorrectly
identified, as indicated by the name or names written upon the labels.'
-- Robert Cushman Murphy (1936) Oceanic Birds of South America.
The prions currently comprise six rather similar looking species of Pachyptila prion together with the Blue Petrel. All are restricted to the southern hemisphere. Identification at sea can be difficult and benefits from comparative experience. All of the species are rather gregarious and can occur in mixed flocks. The name prion is a direct transcription of the Greek for 'saw', in reference to the lamellae on the inside of the bill. Food is mainly collected by hydroplaning and surface-filtering. Water is drawn into the mouth, collecting in a distensible interramal pouch, and then expelled by an upward movement of the broad tongue. Small organisims are thus trapped by the palatal lamellae and swallowed. This is very reminiscent of the feeding mode used by balleen whales. May also take individual organisms (e.g. euphausiid shrimps) by picking at surface. Catch small squid at night sometimes by diving. |
Flock of Antarctic Prions (Pachyptila desolata)
rising from the water near South Georgia in late January 1999. This species
is extremely similar to both Medium-billed (or Salvin's) and Broad-billed
Prions and separation at sea is difficult. Readily separated from the remaining
prion species by much darker head, extensive dark smudge where the collar
meets the breast and broad dark tip to tail. Photo copyright of Ron Saldino
©, 1999.
Halobaena caerulea Blue Petrel
Monotypic
Pachyptila vittata Broad-billed
Prion
Monotypic
Also known as Blue Prion, Broad-billed Dove Petrel,
Long-blled Prion, Common Prion, Icebird, Whalebird
Pachyptila salvini Medium-billed Prion
P. s. salvini
P. s. macqillivrayi
Sometimes grouped with Broad-billed Prion
Pachyptila desolata Antarctic Prion
P. d. desolata
P. d. alter
P. d. banksi
Also known as Dove Prion, Bank's Dove Petrel,
Snowbird, Blue Dove-Petrel etc.
Pachyptila belcheri Slender-billed Prion
Monotypic
Also known as Narrow-billed Prion
Pachyptila turtur Fairy Prion
Monotypic
Pachyptila crassirostris Fulmar Prion
P. c. crassirostris
P. c. eatoni
'Bulweria' Petrels |
| The relationship of the Bulweria to other petrels is not well understood. They have traditionally been included within the gadfly-petrels (Pterodroma), but skeletal information suggests closer affinities to Prions or the Procellaria (e.g. White-chinned Petrel). Each species within the group bears its own feather louse (Halipeurus). |
Bulweria bulwerii Bulwer's
Petrel
Monotypic
Bulweria fallax Jouanin's Petrel
Monotypic
'Procellaria' Petrels |
| A difficult and poorly known group restricted to the southern hemisphere. Procella is the Latin for storm or gale. |
Procellaria aequinoctialis White-chinned
Petrel (new candidate for consideration)
Monotypic
Also known as Shoemaker Petrel
Procellaria conspicillata Spectacled
Petrel (new candidate for consideration)
Monotypic
Traditionally grouped with White-chinned Petrel
Procellaria parkinsoni Black
Petrel (VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Also known as Parkinson's Petrel
Procellaria westlandica Westland
Petrel (VULNERABLE)
Monotypic
Also known as Westland Black Petrel
Procellaria cinerea Grey Petrel (new candidate
for consideration)
Monotypic
Also known as Pediunker
Roberson, D., and S. F. Bailey (1991) Cookilaria petrels in the eastern Pacific Ocean: identification and distribution, part II. American Birds 45: p1067-1081.
Bailey, S. F., P. Pyle, and L. B. Spear (1992) Dark Pterodroma petrels in the North Pacific: identification, status, and North American occurrence. American Birds 43: p400-415.
Spear, L. B., S. N. G. Howell, and D. G. Ainley (1992) Notes on the at-sea identification of some Pacific gadfly petrels (genus: Pterodroma). Colonial Waterbirds 15: p220-218.
Howell, S. N. G., S. Webb, and L. B. Spear (1996) Identification at sea of Cook's, DeFilippi's, and Pycroft's petrels. Western Birds 27: p57-64.
Nunn, G. B. and Anderson, D. J. (1999) Phylogenetic relationships among Pacific Pterodroma petrels. Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Pacific Division 18 (1): 72.
Pyle, P., L. B. Spear, and D. G. Ainley (1993) Observations of Dark-rumped Petrels off Oregon and California. Western Birds 24: p110-112.