- Fregetta tropica
Identification
24cm. Sooty black, darker on the wings and tail, pure white sides of the body, flanks, and long upper tail-coverts, some of the under tail-coverts on each side edged with white, pure white long inner wingcoverts and axillary plumes, black iris, bill and legs.
Distribution
Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Saint Helena, Sao Tomé and Principe, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.
Taxonomy
There are 2 subspecies
- F. t. tropica - South Shetland, South Orkney, South Sandwich Island, South Georgia, Elephant Island, possibly Bouvet Island, The Crozets, Kerguelen, Aukland Islands and Antipodes Islands.
- F. t. melanoleuca - Tristan da Cunha Group, Gough Island, Prince Edward Islands.
Habitat
Oceanic islands and sea.
Behaviour
It follows ships.
Diet
The diet includes small molluscs.
