DESERTAS PETREL Pterodroma deserta

The original Fea's Petrel was recently split in to two, mainly on the grounds of feae being a boreal winter breeder, and desertas being a summer breeder. Whilst breeding islands are different, there is much overlap in distributions, since many non-breeding desertas are found in the Cape Verdes, and vice versa. Whilst classic birds can be distinguished, Cape Verde having a heavier build larger bill and longer wings, this is impossible at sea as there is much overlap. Moult timing is a help, but only for moulting birds.


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