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

Other Birds

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Rufous-vented Whitetip

Urosticte ruficrissa

Rare hummingbird of cloud forest on the east slope of the Andes. Male is mostly green with darker throat and white tips to the inner tail feathers that combine to form a round spot. On female, note green scaling on white underparts, white mustache stripe, white tail corners, and buff tinge on vent (but not on thighs). Female very similar to female Booted Racket-tail but is more heavily scaled on throat and has white thighs. Typically found at forest edge or in clearings, feeding at any height, and occasionally visits feeders.

Black-and-rufous Swallow

Black-and-rufous Swallow

Hirundo nigrorufa

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Hooded Grebe

Hooded Grebe

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A beautiful, small grebe of Patagonia that is rare, local, and declining; breeds on a few interior lakes. Nonbreeding birds range to coastal waters and lowland lakes, where they are most often seen in the company of Silvery Grebes. Told from Silvery Grebe by more contrasting head pattern: black hood contrasts with white forehead and golden tiara, often striking at long range. Grebes are very rarely seen in flight, but wings of Hooded are mostly white unlike the dark wings with a white hind patch seen on Silvery Grebe.

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