Phoenix Petrel
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| Pterodroma 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.
[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2006). Pterodroma alba. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 30 October 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is endangered
