Hawaiian Petrel
Pterodroma sandwichensis
A large, long-winged petrel that appears mostly dark above and white below. The forehead is white and the underwings have a broad black diagonal bar. The flight is fast with high arcing turns. Nests in the mountains on several of the main Hawaiian Islands. At breeding colonies it is usually active only at night. Regularly observed offshore from boats and can be seen from shore at dusk in some areas. Calls include a long, low “uuuuu-wah-uuu,” and various sharp yaps and barks.
Identification
The Hawaiian petrel or ʻuaʻu (Pterodroma sandwichensis) is a large, dark grey-brown and white petrel that is endemic to Hawaiʻi.
Taxonomy
Genus: Pterodroma; Family: Procellariidae; Order: Procellariiformes.
- Scientific name
- Pterodroma sandwichensis
- Authority
- (Ridgway, 1884)
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Genus
- Pterodroma
Range and habitat
The Hawaiian petrel was formerly found on all the main Hawaiian Islands except Niʻihau, but today it is mostly restricted to Haleakalā crater on Maui; smaller populations exist on Mauna Loa on the island of Hawaiʻi, Waimea Canyon on the island of Kauaʻi, Lānaʻihale on Lānaʻi, and possibly Molokaʻi.<p>It is also reportedly seen on the Galapagos Islands. In 2013 a specimen was retrieved from Arizona near the Colorado River, marking the first inland North America record of this species. On August 7, 2023, a Hawaiian petrel was reported near Cape Arago, proximate to Coos County, Oregon. It is not the first record of the species in the state, and there are also reports of it from California.
- Breeding range
- PO : montane Kaua'i, Moloka'i (formerly), Lana'i, Maui and Hawaii (main Hawaiian Is.)
- Non-breeding range
- to Gulf of Alaska and offshore waters of e North Pacific from Oregon to California
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Behavior
Migration pattern: Complete migrants.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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