Hawaiian Petrel vs Fea's Petrel

Hawaiian Petrel

Pterodroma sandwichensis

How to recognise a hawaiian petrel?

General Appearance

The Hawaiian Petrel is a striking seabird known for its dark gray or almost black upperparts and contrasting white underparts. Its wings are long and pointed, aiding in its efficient flight over the ocean. Notable features include a white forehead and face, with a distinct dark gray stripe running through each eye. The bill is slender and black, curved at the tip. Its tail is relatively short and fan-shaped, often visible against the sky as the bird glides high above the waves.

Male vs Female

There are no significant differences in the appearance of male and female Hawaiian Petrels. Both sexes possess similar plumage and physical traits, making gender identification in the field nearly impossible without closer inspection or genetic analysis. This lack of sexual dimorphism suggests that both males and females share similar roles in nesting and caring for young.

Juvenile

Juvenile Hawaiian Petrels resemble adults but with some subtle features that differentiate them. Young birds often have slightly duller plumage and may exhibit a less refined bill structure. The gray on their upperparts lacks the same depth of color seen in mature birds. As they age, their feathers will achieve the darker shades and distinctive markings that characterize adult petrels. In their first year, juveniles undergo molt as they transition to mature plumage, completing their transformation by the end of their first year.

Size

15.7 - 18.1 in/13.1 - 21.2 oz

Habitat

Hawaiian Petrel Habitat

Primary habitat: The Hawaiian Petrel primarily inhabits the mountainous regions on the Hawaiian Islands, such as Maui and the Big Island. These seabirds prefer nesting in burrows on steep slopes, within native forests that offer protective cover from predators. They range primarily across open ocean waters, feeding during their vast marine journeys. Additional range: While primarily marine, Hawaiian Petrels have also been spotted in lowland coastal areas when resting during migrations. Their adaptability allows them to feed over deep ocean waters and occasionally nest on isolated inshore and offshore islands.

Range Map

What do hawaiian petrels like to eat?

Natural diet

The Hawaiian Petrel predominantly feeds on a diet consisting of oceanic prey. These seabirds primarily consume squid and small fish, which provide the necessary nutrients for their energetic lifestyle. During the nesting season, they embark on extensive foraging trips, traveling vast distances to hunt for food. They often capture their prey at night, utilizing a keen sense of smell and sight. While their diet does fluctuate slightly during breeding, squid remains an essential component throughout the year. During warmer months, when squid populations are abundant, their consumption increases.

Bird feeders

The Hawaiian Petrel is not known to visit bird feeders, as its feeding habits are closely tied to marine environments. These seabirds are not attracted to the typical offerings found in backyard settings, such as seeds or suet. Their diet relies heavily on open ocean resources, making them unlikely to benefit from typical bird feeder provisions. As such, there are no specific feeder recommendations or preferences for the Hawaiian Petrel, given its specialized foraging behavior and dietary requirements.

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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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Hawaiian Petrel

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Fea's Petrel

Hawaiian Petrel

Pterodroma sandwichensis

General Appearance

The Hawaiian Petrel is a striking seabird known for its dark gray or almost black upperparts and contrasting white underparts. Its wings are long and pointed, aiding in its efficient flight over the ocean. Notable features include a white forehead and face, with a distinct dark gray stripe running through each eye. The bill is slender and black, curved at the tip. Its tail is relatively short and fan-shaped, often visible against the sky as the bird glides high above the waves.

Male vs Female

There are no significant differences in the appearance of male and female Hawaiian Petrels. Both sexes possess similar plumage and physical traits, making gender identification in the field nearly impossible without closer inspection or genetic analysis. This lack of sexual dimorphism suggests that both males and females share similar roles in nesting and caring for young.

Juvenile

Juvenile Hawaiian Petrels resemble adults but with some subtle features that differentiate them. Young birds often have slightly duller plumage and may exhibit a less refined bill structure. The gray on their upperparts lacks the same depth of color seen in mature birds. As they age, their feathers will achieve the darker shades and distinctive markings that characterize adult petrels. In their first year, juveniles undergo molt as they transition to mature plumage, completing their transformation by the end of their first year.

Size

15.7 - 18.1 in/13.1 - 21.2 oz

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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

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

Visual differences

The Hawaiian Petrel, larger at 15.7-18.1 inches (40-46 cm) in length and weighing 13.1-21.2 ounces (370-600 g), has darker gray upperparts and a more robust bill. In contrast, Fea's Petrel is smaller, 13-14.6 inches (33-37 cm) long and 8.1-13.1 ounces (230-370 g), with a distinct dark gray back, white underside, and an eye-catching black crown with a dark eye patch. Hawaiian Petrels appear bulkier with a darker overall plumage, while Fea's Petrels showcase more striking contrast against their light undersides.

Key differences and behavior

Hawaiian Petrels and Fea's Petrels, both masters of the open ocean, exhibit distinct behavioral traits that aid in their identification. Hawaiian Petrels predominantly inhabit the Pacific, nesting in mountain burrows on Hawaiian islands, while Fea's Petrels reside in the North Atlantic, nesting on rocky cliffs of Madeira and the Canary Islands. Both species engage in synchronized flight displays for courtship and display strong mate fidelity, but Hawaiian Petrels rely heavily on vocalizations during bonding. In feeding, both target squid and fish; however, Hawaiian Petrels navigate vast areas by night using stellar guidance, while Fea's Petrels exploit ocean currents. Breeding involves single-egg clutches, with Hawaiian Petrels incubating for 55 days versus Fea's 45-50 days. Hawaiian Petrels, weighing 0.8-1.3 lbs, are generally heavier than the 0.5-0.8 lbs Fea’s Petrel, which also reflects in minor differences in nesting and chick care.