Common diving-petrel

Common diving-petrel (Pelecanoides urinatrix) are dark to black above and white below, with short, rounded wings, a stubby black bill, short cobalt-blue feet and legs. The feet and legs of adults become brighter during the breeding season. 

Common diving-petrel have been recorded from waters ranging from the subtropics to the subantarctic, usually between 35° and 55°S. They are widely distributed over southern Australian and New Zealand waters.

Common diving-petrel are very similar to the South Georgian diving-petrel, and it is almost impossible to separate them at sea.

Common diving-petrel eat mostly marine crustaceans, particularly euphausiids and copepods while rearing chicks.

Common diving-petrel nest on coastal plains and slopes on cliff edges and behind stable dunes. They nest in burrows or tunnels that are 25-150cm long, 0.2-1.0m deep and with an entrance 5-8 cm in diameter.

The average life expectancy of Common diving-petrel is believed to be no more than 3-4 years. Swamp Harriers, Kelp gull, skuas and giant-petrel take considerable numbers of adults and young each year.

Links

Taxonomic information on the Common diving-petrel

Australian Antarctic Science (AAS) projects relating to Common diving-petrel

Australian Antarctic Magazine - Heard Island's seabirds under scrutiny

Monitoring for long-term or cumulative impacts in Southern Ocean seabirds

See more information on the Australian Antarctic scientific research program