Gadfly petrel
Encyclopedia
The gadfly petrels are seabird
s in the bird
order Procellariiformes
. These medium to large petrel
s feed on food items picked from the ocean surface.
The short, sturdy bills of the Pterodroma species
in this group, about 35 altogether, are adapted for soft prey taken at the surface; they have twisted intestines for digesting marine animals which have unusual biochemistries.
Their complex wing and face marking are probably for interspecific recognition.
These bird
s nest in colonies on islands and are pelagic when not breeding. One white egg is laid usually in a burrow or on open ground. They are nocturnal at the breeding colonies.
of the gadfly petrels is being reformed at the moment. Several genera have been split off over time, as they are closer to the procellarine
and Puffinus
shearwaters. Some subspecies have been raised to full species rank. The arrangement given here is traditional, but annotates the changes proposed by Austin (1998) and Bretagnolle et al. (1998). For the current taxonomy, see also Brooke (2004).
A Pleistocene
fossil
from Aldabra
, Indian Ocean
, was described as Pterodroma kurodai. Biogeographically
, it could belong into any genus.
Seabird
Seabirds are birds that have adapted to life within the marine environment. While seabirds vary greatly in lifestyle, behaviour and physiology, they often exhibit striking convergent evolution, as the same environmental problems and feeding niches have resulted in similar adaptations...
s in the bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
order Procellariiformes
Procellariiformes
Procellariiformes is an order of seabirds that comprises four families: the albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters, storm petrels, and diving petrels...
. These medium to large petrel
Petrel
Petrels are tube-nosed seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes. The common name does not indicate relationship beyond that point, as "petrels" occur in three of the four families within that group...
s feed on food items picked from the ocean surface.
The short, sturdy bills of the Pterodroma species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
in this group, about 35 altogether, are adapted for soft prey taken at the surface; they have twisted intestines for digesting marine animals which have unusual biochemistries.
Their complex wing and face marking are probably for interspecific recognition.
These bird
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
s nest in colonies on islands and are pelagic when not breeding. One white egg is laid usually in a burrow or on open ground. They are nocturnal at the breeding colonies.
Species in taxonomic order
The taxonomyTaxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of the gadfly petrels is being reformed at the moment. Several genera have been split off over time, as they are closer to the procellarine
Procellaria
Procellaria is a genus of southern ocean long-winged seabirds related to prions and a member of the Procellariiformes order.-Taxonomy:Procellaria is a member of the family Procellariidae and the order procellariiformes. As members of Procellariiformes, they share certain characteristics. First they...
and Puffinus
Puffinus
Puffinus is a genus of seabirds in the order Procellariiformes. It comprises about 20 small to medium-sized shearwaters. There are two other shearwater genera: Calonectris, which comprises three large shearwaters, and Procellaria with another four large species...
shearwaters. Some subspecies have been raised to full species rank. The arrangement given here is traditional, but annotates the changes proposed by Austin (1998) and Bretagnolle et al. (1998). For the current taxonomy, see also Brooke (2004).
- Genus Pterodroma
- Pterodroma baraui, Barau's PetrelBarau's PetrelBarau's Petrel, Pterodroma baraui is a medium sized gadfly petrel from the family Procellariidae. Its main breeding site is the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean.-Etymology:...
- Pterodroma arminjoniana, Trindade Petrel
- Pterodroma (arminjoniana) heraldica, Herald PetrelHerald PetrelThe Trindade Petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana, is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is 35-39 cm in size, with a 88-102 cm wingspan....
– recognized by the IOCInternational Ornithological CongressThe International Ornithological Congress series forms the oldest and largest international series of meetings of ornithologists. It is organised by the International Ornithological Committee, a group of about 200 ornithologists...
, however the SACCAmerican Ornithologists' UnionThe American Ornithologists' Union is an ornithological organization in the USA. Unlike the National Audubon Society, its members are primarily professional ornithologists rather than amateur birders...
has not recognized the split as of yet.
Split from Pterodroma arminjoniana
- Pterodroma (arminjoniana) heraldica, Herald Petrel
- Pterodroma externa, Juan Fernandez PetrelJuan Fernández PetrelThe Juan Fernández Petrel, Pétrel De Juan Fernandez, or Peterel De Las Juan Fernádez is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family....
- Pterodroma neglecta, Kermadec PetrelKermadec PetrelThe Kermadec Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family.-Distribution:It is found in Australia, Chile, Japan, Mexico, Micronesia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Pitcairn, and the United States....
- Pterodroma phaeopygia, Galapagos PetrelGalápagos PetrelThe Galápagos Petrel is a large, long-winged gadfly petrel. The species was once known as the Dark-rumped Petrel, although recent taxonomic changes have eliminated that name from current use...
- Pterodroma sandwichensis, Hawaiian PetrelHawaiian PetrelThe Hawaiian Petrel or Uau is a large, dark grey-brown and white petrel that is endemic to Hawaii.-Distribution:...
- Pterodroma atrata, Henderson PetrelHenderson PetrelThe Henderson Petrel is a ground-nesting species of seabird in the Procellariidae family. Adult species measure on average 37 cm. It has a uniform grey-brown plumage...
- Pterodroma alba, Phoenix PetrelPhoenix PetrelThe Phoenix Petrel, Pterodroma alba is a medium-sized, up to long, tropical seabird with a wingspan of . It has a dark brown upperparts plumage, white below and whitish throat. Both sexes are similar....
- Pterodroma feae, Fea's PetrelFea's PetrelFea's Petrel is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, Pterodroma. It was previously considered to be a subspecies of the Soft-plumaged Petrel, P. mollis, but they are actually not closely related at all. However, P. feae is very closely related to Zino's Petrel and Deserta's Petrel, two...
- Pterodroma desertae, Deserta's PetrelDeserta's PetrelThe Desertas Petrel is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus which breeds on Bugio Island in the Desertas off Madeira. The gadfly petrels in the genus Pterodroma are seabirds of temperate and tropical oceans. Many are little-known, and their often similar appearance have caused the taxonomy...
(disputed) - Pterodroma madeira, Zino's PetrelZino's PetrelThe Zino's Petrel or Freira, Pterodroma madeira, is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus which is endemic to the island of Madeira. This long-winged petrel has a grey back and wings, with a dark "W" marking across the wings, and a grey upper tail...
or Madeira Petrel - Pterodroma sp., Canary Islands Petrel, (prehistoricLate Quaternary prehistoric birdsPrehistoric birds are various taxa of birds that became extinct before recorded history, or more precisely, before they could be studied alive by bird scientists...
) – possibly extirpated population of extant species - Pterodroma mollis, Soft-plumaged PetrelSoft-plumaged PetrelThe Soft-plumaged Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family.-Distribution:It breeds on islands in the Southern Hemisphere, nesting on Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, the Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Macquarie Island, and on the Antipodes Islands of New Zealand. Small...
- Pterodroma cahow, Bermuda PetrelBermuda PetrelThe Bermuda Petrel, Pterodroma cahow, is a gadfly petrel. Commonly known in Bermuda as the Cahow, a name derived from its eerie cries, this nocturnal ground-nesting seabird is the national bird of Bermuda, and a symbol of hope for nature conservation. It was thought extinct for 330 years...
- Pterodroma hasitata, Black-capped PetrelBlack-capped PetrelThe Black-capped Petrel is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, Pterodroma. It is also known as the Diablotín. The extinct Jamaica Petrel was a related dark form, often considered a subspecies of this bird.This long-winged petrel has a grey-brown back and wings, with a white nape and rump...
- Pterodroma caribbaea, Jamaica PetrelJamaica PetrelThe Jamaica Petrel is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, Pterodroma. It is also known as the Blue Mountain Duck. It is related to the Black-capped Petrel P. hasitata, and often considered a subspecies.This species was last collected in 1879, and was searched for without success between...
, (possibly extinct) - Pterodroma incerta, Atlantic PetrelAtlantic PetrelThe Atlantic Petrel is a gadfly petrel endemic to the South Atlantic Ocean. It breeds in enormous colonies on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island, and ranges at sea from Brazil to Namibia, with most records at sea being to the west of the breeding islands, and along the subtropical convergence.The...
- Pterodroma lessonii, White-headed PetrelWhite-headed PetrelThe White-headed Petrel , also known as the White-headed Fulmar is a species of seabird in the petrel family, or Procellariidae. Its length is about 400 mm....
- Pterodroma magentae, Magenta PetrelMagenta PetrelThe Magenta Petrel or Chatham Island Taiko is a small seabird in the gadfly petrel genus, Pterodroma....
- Pterodroma macroptera, Great-winged PetrelGreat-winged PetrelThe Great-winged Petrel or Grey-faced Petrel, Pterodroma macroptera, is a petrel. In New Zealand it is also known by its Māori name oi and as a muttonbird.- Taxonomy :...
- Pterodroma solandri, Providence PetrelProvidence PetrelThe Providence Petrel is a species that burrows in one location; isolated Lord Howe Island, some 800km from the Australian mainland in the Tasman Sea....
- Pterodroma ultima, Murphy's PetrelMurphy's PetrelMurphy's Petrel is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is 38-41 cm in size, with a 97 cm wingspan....
- Pterodroma cf. leucoptera, Mangareva Petrel, (possibly extinct)
- Pterodroma cervicalis, White-necked PetrelWhite-necked PetrelThe White-necked Petrel , also known as the White-naped Petrel, is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family. During non-breeding season it occurs throughout a large part of the Pacific, but it is only known to breed on Macauley Island in New Zealand's Kermadec Islands and the Australian...
- Pterodroma occulta, Vanuatu Petrel or Falla's Petrel
- Split from Pterodroma cervicalis
- Pterodroma sp., Chatham Extinct Petrel, (prehistoricLate Quaternary prehistoric birdsPrehistoric birds are various taxa of birds that became extinct before recorded history, or more precisely, before they could be studied alive by bird scientists...
) - Pterodroma sp., Henderson Island Petrel, (prehistoricLate Quaternary prehistoric birdsPrehistoric birds are various taxa of birds that became extinct before recorded history, or more precisely, before they could be studied alive by bird scientists...
) - Pterodroma jugabilis, O‘ahu Petrel, (prehistoricLate Quaternary prehistoric birdsPrehistoric birds are various taxa of birds that became extinct before recorded history, or more precisely, before they could be studied alive by bird scientists...
) - Pterodroma rupinarum, Large Saint Helena Petrel, (extinct)
- Pterodroma baraui, Barau's Petrel
- Subgenus Cookilaria
- Pterodroma cookii, Cook's PetrelCook's PetrelCook's Petrel , one of the smallest petrels, is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is 25-30 cm in size, with a 65-66 cm wingspan...
- Pterodroma pycrofti, Pycroft's PetrelPycroft's PetrelThe Pycroft's Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family.It is found in Japan, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, the United States, United States Minor Outlying Islands, and Wallis and Futuna Islands....
- Pterodroma defilippiana, De Filippi's PetrelDe Filippi's PetrelThe De Filippi's Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family.It is endemic to Chile.Its natural habitats are open seas and rocky shores.-References:...
or Mas a Tierra Petrel - Pterodroma longirostris, Stejneger's PetrelStejneger's PetrelStejneger's Petrel is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is 26–31 cm in size, with a 53–66 cm wingspan....
- Pterodroma nigripennis, Black-winged PetrelBlack-winged PetrelThe Black-winged Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family.It is found in Australia, French Polynesia, Japan, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and the United States.-References:...
- Pterodroma axillaris, Chatham PetrelChatham PetrelThe Chatham Petrel or Ranguru is a medium-sized, grey, white and black gadfly petrel. It is endemic to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand, and until recently was restricted to the 218 ha Rangatira or South-East Island....
- Pterodroma hypoleuca, Bonin PetrelBonin PetrelThe Bonin Petrel, Pterodroma hypoleuca, is a seabird in the family Procellariidae. It is a small gadfly petrel that lives in the waters of the north west Pacific and nests on islands south of Japan and in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands...
- Pterodroma inexpectata, Mottled PetrelMottled PetrelThe Mottled Petrel is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is 33-35 cm in size, with a 74-82 cm wingspan....
- Pterodroma leucoptera, Gould's PetrelGould's PetrelGould's Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family. It is a small petrel, 30 cm long with a wingspan of about 70 cm. It is largely grey above and white below with a blackish crown and hindneck and a black M-shaped band across the wings and rump.The subspecies P. l...
- Pterodroma brevipes, Collared PetrelCollared PetrelThe Collared Petrel is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae family. It is sometimes regarded as a subspecies of Gould's Petrel ....
- Pterodroma brevipes magnificens, may be a full species Magnificent Petrel Pterodroma magnificens
- Pterodroma cookii, Cook's Petrel
A Pleistocene
Pleistocene
The Pleistocene is the epoch from 2,588,000 to 11,700 years BP that spans the world's recent period of repeated glaciations. The name pleistocene is derived from the Greek and ....
fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
from Aldabra
Aldabra
Aldabra, the world's second largest coral atoll, is in the Aldabra Group of islands in the Indian Ocean that form part of the Seychelles. Uninhabited and extremely isolated, Aldabra is virtually untouched by humans, has distinctive island fauna including the Aldabra Giant Tortoise, and is...
, Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, was described as Pterodroma kurodai. Biogeographically
Biogeography
Biogeography is the study of the distribution of species , organisms, and ecosystems in space and through geological time. Organisms and biological communities vary in a highly regular fashion along geographic gradients of latitude, elevation, isolation and habitat area...
, it could belong into any genus.