Mottled Petrel
Pterodroma inexpectata
Silhouette: Kimberly Haddrell · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderProcellariiformes (Tubenoses)
- FamilyProcellariidae (Shearwaters and Petrels)
- GenusPterodroma (Gadfly Petrels)
- SpeciesPterodroma inexpectata (Mottled Petrel)
About the Mottled Petrel
The mottled petrel (Pterodroma inexpectata) or kōrure is a species of seabird and a member of the gadfly petrels. It usually attains 33 to 35 cm (13–14 in) in length with a 74 to 82 cm (29–32 in) wingspan. This species is highly pelagic, rarely approaching land, except to nest and rear young. The mottled petrel feeds mostly on fish and squid, with some crustaceans taken. It is a transequatorial migrant, breeding in the islands of New Zealand, and migrating to the Bering Sea, concentrating in the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands.
It was previously found on mainland New Zealand North and South Islands, but is now only found on smaller off-shore islands near Fiordland, Stewart Island and Snares Islands, with the largest populations on Codfish Island, Big South Cape Island and the Snares Islands.
The mottled petrel uses burrows and rock crevices to nest in. It was formerly more numerous than today. The species' numbers have been and continue to be affected by predation by introduced mammals. Chicks have been reintroduced to Maungaharuru, hills 24 km from the sea, in Hawke's Bay.
The breeding behaviour of the mottled petrel is similar to that of the sooty shearwater... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Mottled Petrel in Fiordland National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Fiordland National Park
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Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 2 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 3 | Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Mottled Petrel in Fiordland National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Mottled Petrel sighting in Fiordland National Park, based on 106 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Mottled Petrel in Fiordland National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Mottled Petrel in Fiordland National Park in our monthly data.