White-chinned Petrel

Vulnerable

Procellaria aequinoctialis

A graceful ocean wanderer that glides effortlessly across the Southern Hemisphere's seas, covering thousands of miles each year as it searches for squid and fish in the world's coldest waters.

Visual Identification

Appearance

The White-chinned Petrel is a large seabird with predominantly dark brown to black plumage. Its most distinctive feature is a white patch under the bill, which varies in size between populations. The bird has a robust body, long wings, and a pale horn or yellowish bill with a black ridge on top.

Males and females look nearly identical, though females are slightly smaller. Juveniles appear similar to adults but can be distinguished by having fresh plumage when adults are worn or moulting.

Size

Length

50cm to 58cm

Wingspan

132cm to 147cm

Weight

1000g to 1.55kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Brown Black

Secondary Colour

White

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Black

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

Garden

Wetland

Coastal

Urban

Farmland

Grassland

Desert

Tundra

Rainforest

Mountain

Savanna

Distribution

White-chinned Petrels are found throughout the Southern Ocean, ranging from subtropical to Antarctic waters. They breed on subantarctic islands, including South Georgia, the Crozet Islands, and the Kerguelen Islands.

During the non-breeding season, they disperse widely across southern oceans. Some individuals reach the coasts of southern Australia, New Zealand, and South America, occasionally being spotted off the southern coast of South Africa.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 420 meters

Climate zones

Subantarctic, Antarctic, Temperate

Distribution Map

© 2025 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding

Distribution by Region

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Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85
Strength 72
Adaptability 88
Aggressiveness 65
Endurance 92

Diet

White-chinned Petrels primarily feed on squid, fish, and crustaceans. They often scavenge behind fishing vessels, consuming discarded fish and offal.

These birds are known to forage over vast areas of the ocean, sometimes travelling hundreds of kilometres from their breeding colonies in search of food.

Behaviour

White-chinned Petrels are highly pelagic, spending most of their lives at sea. They are excellent flyers, using dynamic soaring to cover vast distances with minimal energy expenditure.

These birds are often seen following ships, attracted by fishing discards. They typically feed by surface-seizing but can also perform shallow dives.

Vocalisation

White-chinned Petrels are generally silent at sea but become vocal at their breeding colonies. Their calls include a variety of harsh croaks, grunts, and wailing sounds.

During courtship and nest defence, they produce a series of rapid, guttural 'grrr-grrr-grrr' calls, sometimes described as sounding like a creaky door.

Nesting & Breeding

White-chinned Petrels form long-term pair bonds and return to the same breeding sites annually. The breeding season typically begins in October or November, with birds nesting in burrows or natural crevices on subantarctic islands.

Females lay a single white egg in a simple nest at the end of the burrow. Both parents share incubation duties, which last about 57-62 days.

The chick is brooded and fed by both parents for about 87-106 days before fledging. Young birds typically return to breed at their natal colonies after several years at sea.

Lifespan

Typical Lifespan Range 20 - 30 years
0
8
16
24
32

years

The White-chinned Petrel typically lives for 20 to 30 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Vulnerable [1]

The White-chinned Petrel is classified as Vulnerable due to population declines. Major threats include accidental capture in longline fisheries, introduced predators on breeding islands, and marine pollution.

Conservation efforts focus on implementing seabird-friendly fishing practices and predator control on nesting islands.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

3,000,000 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

Decreasing[3]

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for White-chinned Petrels far offshore, especially in the Southern Ocean
  • Watch for their distinctive white chin patch, which can be visible even at a distance
  • Observe their flight pattern: low over the waves with stiff wings
  • Check areas behind fishing vessels, where they often gather

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Shoemaker, Cape Hen

Predators

Adult White-chinned Petrels have few natural predators at sea, but eggs and chicks are vulnerable to introduced mammals such as rats and cats on breeding islands.

Did You Know?

  1. White-chinned Petrels can dive up to 12 meters deep to catch prey.
  2. They have a keen sense of smell, which helps them locate food sources over vast ocean areas.
  3. These birds can live for over 30 years in the wild.

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References

  1. 1 3

    website: BirdLife International. 2018. Procellaria aequinoctialis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22698140A132628887.

    View source
  2. 2

    report, 2004: Brooke