Phoenix petrel
| 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 | |
The Phoenix petrel (Pterodroma alba) is a medium-sized, up to 35 cm (14 in) long, tropical seabird with a wingspan of 83 cm (33 in). 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. Females lay 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.
References
- ↑ BirdLife International (2012). "Pterodroma alba". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.