Procellariidae bird family

Order Procellariiformes · 9 selected species

Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.

Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma hasitata)Black-capped PetrelPterodroma hasitataA long-winged, black-and-white bird that is most often found far out at sea, coming to land only to breed on remote cliffs from November into May. Adults visit the nest sites only at night, when it is possible to hear this species vocalizing. The rather similar Bermuda Petrel lacks this species’ white collar and white rump. Black-capped Petrels also have a darker headed or “cowled” appearance than Bermuda Petrels. Calls at nesting areas include a drawn out “awwwww” that often grows louder towards the end and is usually given in series, sometimes with a squeaky hiccuplike terminal note that has an oddly donkey-like quality. Also gives a puppy-like yelp.
Galapagos Petrel (Pterodroma phaeopygia)Galapagos PetrelPterodroma phaeopygiaEndangered seabird that nests only in Galápagos. Outside the breeding season, it disperses over the eastern Pacific and usually stays far from land. Note distinctive black-and-white pattern on underwing, mostly white underparts, and dark upperparts that extend down through its face to sides of neck; no other seabird found in and near Galápagos shares these features. When seen from above, it appears all dark except for some white around the base of the bill. Almost always encountered at sea, since it travels to and from its highland nesting sites only at night.
Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSmall black-and-white shearwater that flies with snappy wingbeats. Pay attention to its face pattern: typically quite dark and smudgy, with white curling up behind the cheek. Underwing is mostly white, sometimes with dark markings. Flies low to the water with quick wingbeats, almost recalling an alcid; occasionally arcs up high in strong wind. Prefers cooler ocean waters in the North and South Atlantic; rarely seen from land. Rare but seemingly increasing in the Pacific. Found singly or in small flocks, sometimes with other shearwaters. In Caribbean and western Atlantic, most similar to Sargasso Shearwater but shorter-tailed and darker-faced, with white under the tail.
Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)Manx ShearwaterPuffinus puffinusSmall black-and-white shearwater that flies with snappy wingbeats. Pay attention to its face pattern: typically quite dark and smudgy, with white curling up behind the cheek. Underwing is mostly white, sometimes with dark markings. Flies low to the water with quick wingbeats, almost recalling an alcid; occasionally arcs up high in strong wind. Prefers cooler ocean waters in the North and South Atlantic; rarely seen from land. Rare but seemingly increasing in the Pacific. Found singly or in small flocks, sometimes with other shearwaters. In Caribbean and western Atlantic, most similar to Sargasso Shearwater but shorter-tailed and darker-faced, with white under the tail.
Northern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes halli)Northern Giant-PetrelMacronectes halliVery large (size of smaller albatross) with massive pale bill that always has a pinkish tip (often darker than rest of bill). Plumage varies; most birds dark overall or with whitish face, but some have very whitish head and underparts; does not have a white morph, unlike Southern Giant. Juveniles are sooty brown which fades to gray brown as they age. Widespread around Southern Oceans. Habits much like Southern Giant and the two readily associate together often following ships.
Sooty Shearwater (Ardenna grisea)Sooty ShearwaterArdenna griseaMedium-sized, dark brown shearwater with silvery flashes on underwings. Narrow wings with quick, deep wingbeats. Widespread and common, especially in the Pacific; can sometimes be seen close to shore. Can be in massive flocks. Extremely similar to Short-tailed Shearwater, but Sooty is heavier and has straighter wings; also look for slightly longer bill and less rounded head. Brown plumage is reminiscent of Flesh-footed Shearwater, but Sooty is narrower-winged and has a smaller, all-dark bill.
Southern Giant-Petrel (Macronectes giganteus)Southern Giant-PetrelMacronectes giganteusWidespread and fairly common; readily seen from shore and ferries in Tierra del Fuego. Giant-Petrels are known as vultures of the Southern Ocean and can scavenge with gulls at sewage outflows or with albatrosses at fishing boats; often follows ships. Very large (size of smaller albatross) with a very big pale bill that always has a diagnostic pale greenish tip. Plumage varies; most birds are dark overall or with whitish head, rarely whitish head and underparts; scarce white morph is snow-white overall with scattered black feathers.
White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis)White-chinned PetrelProcellaria aequinoctialisCommon, rather large dark petrel of the Southern Ocean; regular migrant north into Humboldt Current. Usually looks wholly blackish with a pale, ivory-colored bill—the white chin is often just a few feathers and frequently is difficult to see in the field, although it can be more extensive, especially on Atlantic and Indian Ocean birds. White-chinned is obviously larger than dark-billed Sooty Shearwater and much smaller than giant-petrels, which have huge pale bills. Pale bill tip distinguishes White-chinned from similar Westland and Parkinson’s Petrels, which have dark bill tip.