Masatierra Petrel (Pterodroma defilippiana)

Identification & Behavior: ~26 cm (10.2 in). The Masatierra Petrel has bluish-gray upperparts with a black “M” pattern on the back. The face, throat and rest of the underparts are white. It has a dusky and poorly defined mask across the eye. The tail is grayish with a narrow blackish terminal band. The underwing is also white narrowly fringed with black. It is very similar to the Cook’s Petrel but is distinguished by having a broad gray semi collar, which is absent in the Cook’s Petrel. Also, see the larger Juan Fernandez Petrel.

Status: The Masatierra Petrel is a rare non-breeding visitor in the winter months of May through October. Due to similarities, extreme caution needs to be used when identifying Pterodroma petrels. The Masatierra Petrel also occurs in Ch.

Name in Spanish: Petrel Chileno.

Sub-species: Masatierra Petrel (Pterodroma defilippiana), (Giglioli and Salvadori), 1869.

Meaning of Name: Pterodroma: Gr pteron= wing and dromos= -racer, runner. defilippiana: In honor of Prof. Filippo de’ Defilippi (1814-1867) Italian naturalist, traveller, collector.

See more of the Family Procellariidae