Galapagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia)

Order: Procellariformes | Family: Procellariidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

galapagos_petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of Ecuador

galapagos_petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of N Peru

galapagos_petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of N Peru

galapagos_petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of N Peru


Identification & Behavior: ~43 cm (17 in). The Galapagos Petrel has gray upperparts with a poorly-defined blackish “M” pattern on the back. The face, throat, and rest of the underparts are white. It has a black hood that contrasts with the gray back. The tail is blackish and often shows a white band on the rump. The underwing is also white narrowly fringed with black. It has a diagonal stripe from the carpal area, which is better-defined than in other petrels. It is very similar to the Juan Fernandez Petrel and Masatierra Petrel but is distinguished by having darker upperparts, black hood, and a blackish tail.

Status: The Galapagos Petrel is a non-breeding visitor to the northern pelagic waters during the months of September through Febrero. It breeds on the Galapagos Islands. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Petrel de las Galápagos.

Sub-species: Galapagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia), (Salvin), 1876.

Meaning of Name: Pterodroma: Gr pteron= wing and dromos= -racer, runner. phaeopygia: Gr. phaios= dusky, brown and pugios, puge = rumped, rump.

See more of the Family Procellariidae  peru aves

Distribution Mapgalapagos petrel
Voice
Generally silent at sea.


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 03/01/2017.