GREAT-WINGED PETREL Pterodroma macroptera

The first Pterodroma according to the IOC, formerly lumped with the next species. Sadly, unlike its close relative this is in decline, there are probably less than 150,000 pairs. It breeds on Indian Ocean islands, as well as small islands off south-west Australia, and Gough and Tristan. Currently the latter two are where the decline is greatest, but as measures have recently been undertaken to eradicate rodents on Gough, the trend may be reversed. They seem to be commonest off South Africa, and although dispersal is both east and west, rarely come in to contact with Grey-faced Petrel.


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