Fea's Petrel or Black-capped 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.

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.

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.