Phoenix Petrel

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Phoenix Petrel
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Procellariidae
Genus: Pterodroma
Species: P. alba
Binomial name
Pterodroma alba
(Gmelin, 1789)
Synonyms

Aestrelata parvirostris[verification needed]
Oestrelata parvirostris[verification needed]
Procellaria alba Gmelin, 1789

The Phoenix Petrel, Pterodroma alba is a medium-sized, up to 35cm long, tropical seabird with a wingspan of 83cm. It has a dark brown upperparts plumage, white below and whitish throat. Both sexes are similar.

The Phoenix Petrel is found throughout oceans and coastal areas in the central Pacific Ocean. Their colonies can be found on Phoenix, Tonga, Kiritimati, Tuamotu, Marquesas and Pitcairn Island. Female lays one white egg on the ground surface. The diet consists mainly of squid, fish and crustaceans.

Due to ongoing habitat loss, small population size, predation by invasive species and human exploitation, the Phoenix Petrel is evaluated as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

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