Fea's Petrel vs Bermuda Petrel

Fea's Petrel

Pterodroma feae

How to recognise a fea's petrel?

General appearance

The Fea's Petrel is a medium-sized seabird characterized by its grey and white plumage. It has a distinctive dark grey back and wings with a contrasting white underside. The bird's head is also grey with a noticeable white forehead and a blackish crown. A dark eye patch extends behind the eyes, giving it a striking appearance. Its tail is short, and its bill is black, providing a sharp contrast against its lighter facial features.

Male vs female

In Fea's Petrel, there is minimal sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females look largely similar. Both sexes exhibit the same coloration and pattern on their plumage. However, size can be a distinguishing factor, with males slightly larger than females. Aside from this slight size differentiation, males and females are virtually indistinguishable in the field.

Juvenile

Juvenile Fea's Petrels resemble adults but have subtle differences in plumage. The grey feathers might appear slightly duller or paler compared to a glossy adult. Young birds may also exhibit softer facial markings until they mature. As they age, their coloration becomes more defined. Despite these differences, juveniles can still be identified by their characteristic grey and white appearance similar to adults.

Size

13.0 - 14.6 in/8.1 - 13.1 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The Fea's Petrel predominantly prefers to inhabit the subtropical regions of the North Atlantic Ocean, particularly nesting on the rocky cliffs and offshore islets of Madeira and the Canary Islands. The species thrives in areas with abundant sea breezes and cooler ocean currents, providing optimal feeding grounds rich in squid and small fish.

Additional range

Apart from its primary breeding grounds, Fea’s Petrel can occasionally be encountered in unexpected open sea environments, driven by sporadic changes in ocean currents. While rare, sightings have been reported off the coasts of western Africa and southern Europe's Iberian Peninsula, illustrating its adaptability to varying maritime climates beyond its typical range.

Range Map

What do fea's petrels like to eat?

Natural Diet

The Fea's Petrel primarily feeds on a variety of marine organisms available in their wild habitats. This bird mainly relies on small fish and squid, which they catch by surface-seizing while gliding above the ocean's waves. The diet is complemented by crustaceans and other small marine invertebrates. The feeding habits of Fea's Petrels harmonize with the availability of prey, leading to minor seasonal variations. During breeding season, when their energy demands are higher, they may focus more on energy-rich food sources like squid, which also appear more abundant following particular oceanic currents and temperature changes.

Bird Feeders

Fea's Petrels are pelagic birds, spending most of their life in the open ocean; hence, they rarely visit traditional land-based bird feeders. In the unlikely event they venture near coastal regions or islands where feeders are set up, there might be limited interaction. They do not typically consume seeds, suet, or fruits, which are common offerings at bird feeders for terrestrial birds. Instead, they continue to demonstrate a strong preference for their natural marine diet, which is more challenging to provide outside of their natural habitats.

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Bermuda Petrel

Pterodroma cahow

Also known as: Cahow

How to recognise a bermuda petrel?

General appearance

The Bermuda Petrel, also known as the Cahow, exhibits a graceful maritime silhouette with a distinctive coloration that aids in identification. Its plumage is primarily dark gray on the wings and back, contrasting with the predominantly white underparts, creating a striking appearance. The face features a white forehead that connects to a collar of darker feathers around the nape, while the bill is slender and black, adapted for catching prey in its oceanic habitat.

Male vs female

In terms of physical appearance, there is minimal sexual dimorphism between male and female Bermuda Petrels. Both sexes share similar plumage patterns, size, and coloration, making it challenging to distinguish between them in the wild based solely on appearance. Behavioral observations during breeding seasons may offer more accurate ways to differentiate them as both sexes contribute equally to incubation and chick-rearing.

Juvenile

Juvenile Bermuda Petrels bear a close resemblance to adults but can be distinguished by slightly duller and more uniform plumage. The gray coloration on their wings and back lacks the subtle iridescence seen in adults, and their facial features may appear more subdued. Over time, as juveniles mature, they molt into the sharper, more contrasty plumage of adulthood. Despite these differences, distinguishing them at sea requires careful observation due to the similarity in their size and overall appearance.

Size

15.7 in/4.0 - 7.0 oz

Habitat

Primary Habitat

The Bermuda Petrel, also known as the Cahow, primarily resides on small rocky islets in the Bermuda archipelago. These regions offer the ideal nesting grounds, characterized by dense vegetation and a subtropical climate. The birds prefer secluded, undisturbed areas with easy access to the ocean for feeding, typically within the North Atlantic's moderate temperatures.

Additional Range

Though the Bermuda Petrel's range is predominantly localized, they occasionally roam to unexpected territories during their foraging expeditions. These seabirds adapt well to open ocean environments, sometimes venturing further into temperate waters beyond their primary nesting sites. Their adaptability ensures survival across varied marine climates.

Range Map

What do bermuda petrels like to eat?

Natural diet

The Bermuda Petrel, also known as the Cahow, primarily feeds on a diet composed of small fish, squid, and crustaceans. As a pelagic bird, it sources its food from the open ocean. The consumption of these marine creatures provides the necessary nutrients for their survival. Seasonal variations affect their diet as certain marine species become more abundant at different times of the year. During spring and summer, they might find a larger quantity of prey as fish and squid populations tend to be more accessible.

Bird feeders

Bermuda Petrels do not typically frequent bird feeders because of their pelagic lifestyle. They spend the majority of their time far from land, navigating vast expanses of ocean to seek food. As such, traditional bird feeder setups with seed mixes, suet, or fruits do not cater to their specific dietary needs. Additionally, the Bermuda Petrel relies on live marine prey and does not consume the typical bird feeder offerings that attract terrestrial or land-based bird species. Hence, feeding them at bird feeders is neither feasible nor necessary to support their natural diet.

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Fea's Petrel

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Bermuda Petrel

Fea's Petrel

Pterodroma feae

General appearance

The Fea's Petrel is a medium-sized seabird characterized by its grey and white plumage. It has a distinctive dark grey back and wings with a contrasting white underside. The bird's head is also grey with a noticeable white forehead and a blackish crown. A dark eye patch extends behind the eyes, giving it a striking appearance. Its tail is short, and its bill is black, providing a sharp contrast against its lighter facial features.

Male vs female

In Fea's Petrel, there is minimal sexual dimorphism, meaning males and females look largely similar. Both sexes exhibit the same coloration and pattern on their plumage. However, size can be a distinguishing factor, with males slightly larger than females. Aside from this slight size differentiation, males and females are virtually indistinguishable in the field.

Juvenile

Juvenile Fea's Petrels resemble adults but have subtle differences in plumage. The grey feathers might appear slightly duller or paler compared to a glossy adult. Young birds may also exhibit softer facial markings until they mature. As they age, their coloration becomes more defined. Despite these differences, juveniles can still be identified by their characteristic grey and white appearance similar to adults.

Size

13.0 - 14.6 in/8.1 - 13.1 oz

There's more to learn about Fea's Petrel

View full details

Bermuda Petrel

Pterodroma cahow

Also known as: Cahow

General appearance

The Bermuda Petrel, also known as the Cahow, exhibits a graceful maritime silhouette with a distinctive coloration that aids in identification. Its plumage is primarily dark gray on the wings and back, contrasting with the predominantly white underparts, creating a striking appearance. The face features a white forehead that connects to a collar of darker feathers around the nape, while the bill is slender and black, adapted for catching prey in its oceanic habitat.

Male vs female

In terms of physical appearance, there is minimal sexual dimorphism between male and female Bermuda Petrels. Both sexes share similar plumage patterns, size, and coloration, making it challenging to distinguish between them in the wild based solely on appearance. Behavioral observations during breeding seasons may offer more accurate ways to differentiate them as both sexes contribute equally to incubation and chick-rearing.

Juvenile

Juvenile Bermuda Petrels bear a close resemblance to adults but can be distinguished by slightly duller and more uniform plumage. The gray coloration on their wings and back lacks the subtle iridescence seen in adults, and their facial features may appear more subdued. Over time, as juveniles mature, they molt into the sharper, more contrasty plumage of adulthood. Despite these differences, distinguishing them at sea requires careful observation due to the similarity in their size and overall appearance.

Size

15.7 in/4.0 - 7.0 oz

There's more to learn about Bermuda Petrel

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How to tell the Fea's Petrel from the Bermuda Petrel

Visual differences

Fea's Petrel (Pterodroma feae) and Bermuda Petrel (Pterodroma cahow) differ visually primarily in size and plumage. Fea's Petrel is heavier (8.1-13 oz, 13-14.6 in), with darker gray wings/back and a white underside. It features a distinctive dark eye patch. In contrast, the Bermuda Petrel is lighter (4-7 oz, 15.7 in) and has a similar dark gray back and white underparts but with a more slender, delicate bill. Both share a white forehead, but the Bermuda Petrel's facial markings blend into a darker nape collar, differentiating it.

Key differences and behavior

Fea's Petrel (Pterodroma feae) and Bermuda Petrel (Pterodroma cahow) share pelagic lifestyles, yet differ notably in behavior and habitat. Fea's Petrel breeds on remote Atlantic islands like Madeira, preferring burrows on steep cliffs with minimal nesting material, while Bermuda Petrel nests in Bermuda's islets, using vegetation-lined crevices. Fea's Petrel engages in synchronized courtship flights, forming long-term pair bonds, whereas Bermuda Petrel's twilight flights and preening strengthen its monogamous ties. Both species share a diet of fish and squid, but Bermuda Petrel shows more pronounced seasonal dietary shifts. Notably, Fea's Petrel undertakes extensive oceanic journeys, displaying remarkable navigational skills, while Bermuda Petrel focuses more locally, though it occasionally roams temperate waters. Despite similarities in seabird ecology, these behavioral traits distinguish them in the field beyond visual cues.