Distribution The black-winged petrel is a pelagic species native to the East Pacific Ocean, living out at sea and only coming to land in order to breed.
VIC: Vulnerable
At a glance
FamilyShearwaters and Petrels
SizeSmall
RarityUncommon
HabitatOutside the breeding season it migrates further north and most commonly occurs in a broad belt of ocean between Peru and Hawaii.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from March.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by David Boyle
Range map
Range map
116approx hotspots
1769approx records
2states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
The underwings appear darker than in most other small petrels because of the wide black margin around the edges of the wings and a broad black diagonal bar on the inner wing.
Behavior
Migrates through Hawaiian waters, usually from spring through fall. Regularly seen offshore from boats, occasionally from shore.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Queensland
Northern Territory
Commonly confused with
Flesh-footed ShearwaterArdenna carneipesShorter-tailed and stockier than dark-morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater (which usually has dark bill). Also compare with dark Procellaria petrels such as Parkinson’s; note overall shape and differences in bill shape and pattern. Namesake foot color is difficult to see in normal field conditions. Fairly common over much of Pacific and Indian oceans; uncommon to rare off west coast of North America. Breeds on islands off the coast of southern Australia and northern New Zealand. Not likely to be seen from land; stays further offshore.→Providence PetrelPterodroma solandriHigh-arcing flight in high winds, as in other gadfly petrel species. Similar to dark-morph Kermadec Petrel, which shows white shafts in primary feathers in the upperwings, lacking in Providence.→Wedge-tailed ShearwaterArdenna pacificaFairly common in warm tropical waters and at times visible from shore. Typical flight is unhurried with easy buoyant glides and stiff wingbeats. Plumage variable: most birds are gray-brown above and whitish below; others are dark brown overall. Note pale scaly edgings to back feathers and slender grayish bill.→