Mascarene Petrel
Pseudobulweria aterrima
An entirely dark petrel that usually has a cross-like shape in flight. Note the large, square head, the thick bill, and the long rear. Critically endangered; nests on cliffs and crevices on the island of Reunion and feeds in the surrounding ocean. The vocalization is an eerie scream, given at night around breeding sites. Separation from several similar species is tricky. Most similar to Great-winged Petrel, and distinguished only by subtle differences, including the heavier head and bill, longer neck and tail, more rounded wing, and less explosive flight. Also similar to Jouanin’s Petrel, but identified by larger size, longer wings that are held straighter, and shorter rear. Separated from Wedge-tailed Shearwater by the much heavier bill, and from dark-morph Trindade Petrel by the lack of a silver flash in the underwing.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Pseudobulweria aterrima
- Authority
- (Bonaparte, 1857)
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Genus
- Pseudobulweria
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- IO : montane Réunion (w Mascarenes; formerly also Rodrigues)
- Non-breeding range
- to Seychelles, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Timor Sea (n of w Australia)
- Migration
- unknown
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Pileated Woodpecker
Dryocopus pileatus
Large, unmistakable woodpecker. Mostly black, with red crest and bold white stripes on head and neck. Flies with deep, rowing wingbeats, almost like a crow but more irregular; also look for mostly white underwings and white patches on upperwing. Pairs inhabit mature deciduous or coniferous forests with large trees. Makes large oval-shaped holes in decaying trees to search for insects. Listen for slow resonant drumming and loud clucking calls. Occasionally visits feeders in appropriate habitat, especially fond of suet.
Gray-throated Chat
Granatellus sallaei
Easily overlooked, warbler-like bird of lowland tropical forest. Hops around, mainly at low levels in tangled understory, often fanning its rather long, white-tipped tail. Male is striking, with red breast, gray head, and white eyebrow, but female-plumaged birds are seen more often and can be puzzling. Note the buffy face and breast with a dark beady eye, mostly grayish upperparts, and distinctive tail.
Reeves's Pheasant
Syrmaticus reevesii
A large terrestrial bird of hill forests. Male has very long black-and-white tail and is strikingly patterned: appears crafted out of black-edged gold and white porcelain scales. Female has peach belly and dark comma-like stripe behind the eye. Courting male makes a series of sputtering, bubbling, chirping, and squeaking notes, as well as loud and resonant wing-drumming. Contact and alarm calls are similarly sputtering, varying in loudness.
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