English Name: Bulwer's Petrel
Scientific Name: Bulweria bulwerii
The Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) is a small petrel in the family Procellariidae, and is one of two species in the genus Bulweria (Bonaparte, 1843). This bird is named after the Scottish naturalist James Bulwer.
Identification
A large all dark storm-petrel. Has longer wings and tail than other dark storm-petrels such as Swinhoe's Storm-petrel. Flight action is also characterisitic being buoyant and erratic with wings held stiffly bowed. The bill is generally held downwards. Makes a series of stiff flaps before each short twisting glide. Generally keeps close to water surface, circling and zig-zagging when hunting prey. Occasionally fans wedge-shaped tail, otherwise tail looks long and tapering. The pale brown carpal bar is hard to see at any distance.Generally solitary at sea and does not habitually follow ships.
Where and When
A tropical species breeding in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Nests in holes and crevices on rocky slopes not far from the ocean. In the Atlantic, breeds throughout Macronesia, namely the Azores, Salvage Islands, Madeira (Porto Santo), Desertas, Canary Islands and Cape Verde Islands. In the Pacific breeds on Taiwan, Fujian and other islets off south-east China, the Bonin, Volcano and Ryuku Islands off Japan, Hawaii (Leeward chain as well as Kuala, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii), Johnston Atoll, Phoenix Island and the Marquesas. On the breeding colonies gives a low barking 'chuff' call which is repeated at varyiing speed and pitch. Has been likened to a steam engine.
Breeding and habitat
This seabird breeds in the north Atlantic in colonies on islands in the Cape Verde Islands, Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira groups.
Bulwer's Petrel also breeds on islands across the north Pacific from east of China to Hawaii. After breeding, birds disperse to spend the rest of the year at sea, mainly in tropical waters. This species has been recorded in Europe as a rare vagrant to Ireland, Great Britain, Portugal and the Netherlands. It has also appeared as a vagrant in North America, with rare sightings far off the coast of both California and North Carolina.
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