- Pterodroma arminjoniana
Identification
The Trinidade Petrel, Pterodroma arminjoniana, is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. The bird is 35-39 cm in size, with a 88-102 cm wingspan.
The petrel has 2 color morphs, a dark phase and a light phase, with intergrades between the two also occurring.
Distribution
There are also 2 separate populations, one occurring in the south Pacific, sometimes seen in Hawaii; the other occurring in the south Atlantic, nesting off Brazil, with rare sightings in the Gulf Stream off the southeastern United States.
Taxonomy
The little-known Pacific subspecies Pterodroma (arminjoniana) heraldica may be a distinct species (Herald Petrel).
Habitat
It uses oceanic islands, atolls, nesting on cliff ledges, ridges or rocky slopes. On some islands, nesting birds are threatened by feral cats and rats.