Magellanic Diving-Petrel
Pelecanoides magellani
Very small diving seabird. Fairly common locally in fjords, channels, and the Strait of Magellan, where it can be seen from shore and ferries; uncommon out in open ocean. Swims low in the water and usually dives when approached or runs along the water to fly away from boats. Flight is low and fast over the sea with rapid “whirring” wingbeats; does not glide. Plumage blackish above, whitish below with contrasting white neck sides and a black cap, unlike other diving-petrels.
Identification
This short, compact petrel ranges from 19-22 cm (7.4-8.7 in) in length, and weighs anywhere between 5-6 oz (males are typically heavier than females). The head of P. magellani is black, bordered by a contrasting white that leads into a distinctive white crescent extending up towards the back of the neck . The rest of the body follows a strong penguin-like black above, white below scheme, with some white streaks around the sides of the nape and on the scapulars. They also have some blackish-grey mottling on the flank region and sometimes on the sides of the breast. The upperwing is mostly black, with white edges on the secondaries; the underwing coverts are white (with some fragments of black on the "arm"), while the underside of the flight feathers are light grey. The tail feathers (rectrices) are mostly black above (but may appear brown in some lighting) with nearly invisible white tips, and mainly white to a very light grey below. The bill is mostly black, as well as the upward-facing nostrils (which are unique only to the diving-petrels), the legs and feet are a light slate-blue to light blue with black-brownish webs, and black claws, and the eyes are a very dark brown color. It only overlaps with the Peruvian diving-petrel, P. garnotii, but the two are distinguishable by the visible white crescent of the Magellanic vs. the nearly all-black head of the Peruvian.
Taxonomy
The Magellanic diving-petrel was formally described in 1912 by the Australian born ornithologist Gregory Mathews as a subspecies of the Peruvian diving-petrel with the trinomial name Pelecanoides garnotii magellani. It is now considered as a separate species with the binomial name Pelecanoides magellani. The genus name combines the Ancient Greek pelekan meaning "pelican" and "-oidēs" meaning "resembling". The specific epithet magellani refers to the Straits of Magellan. The species is monotypic: no subspecies are recognised.<p>According to HBW, this species is more closely related to the South Georgian and Peruvian diving-petrels. The diving-petrels bear strong resemblances to the smaller auk species (i.e. the Dovekie or Little Auk), though they are not closely related. This likeness is a prime example of convergent evolution, since the two have similar niches in their ecosystem, therefore they have evolved similar traits.
- Scientific name
- Pelecanoides magellani
- Authority
- (Mathews, 1912)
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Procellariidae
- Genus
- Pelecanoides
Range and habitat
The Magellanic diving-petrel breeds on vegetated slopes on coastal and nearshore islands, typically in fjords and channels, in southern Chile, Argentina, and Tierra del Fuego and forages in offshore and inshore waters in the area.
- Breeding range
- SA : islets in Chilean fjords to Cape Horn
- Non-breeding range
- coasts and fjords of Gulf of Ancud (sc Chile), off Cape Horn and n to coastal Santa Cruz (se Argentina)
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
Population trend: declining.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Military Macaw
Ara militaris
Spectacular, huge, and long-tailed parrot, wiped out from most areas by capture for the pet trade. Found very locally in forested foothills, canyons, and adjacent semiopen areas with big trees. Usually in pairs or loose groups made up of pairs. Unmistakable, bright green overall with mostly blue wings from above and golden yellow below, and red-and-blue tail. Calls are deep, throaty roars that carry long distances.
Inca Wren
Pheugopedius eisenmanni
Boldly patterned wren with a localized range in southern Peru. Reddish brown, with a black-and-white streaked face and breast and a bold white eyebrow. Larger and longer-tailed than the similar Gray-breasted Wood-Wren. Found in dense undergrowth of humid montane forest, often in bamboo thickets. Listen for its rollicking whistled song, usually given in duet.
Amazonian Elaenia
Myiopagis cinerea
Small flycatcher of rainforest canopy. Gray male is fairly distinctive with his black wings and bold, white wingbars. Female is clad in shades of yellow and olive and has yellowish wingbars. She is very similar to Forest Elaenia and Yellow-crowned Elaenia, but has paler and cleaner underparts, and usually stays higher up in the trees. Also very similar to Gray-headed Elaenia, but note its more northern range. In areas where their ranges meet, identification may have to be confirmed by voice, though Amazonian Elaenia usually shows a dark (not white or yellow) eye. Typical song is a rapid, descending trill. Pairs are typically seen very high in the forest, and often follow mixed species flocks.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.