Great-winged Petrel
Overview
Great-winged Petrel: Large petrel with brown-black body except for pale gray forehead, face, chin, and throat. Bill is black and stout. The legs and feet are black. Feed on fish, squid and crustaceans. In New Zealand it is also known by its Maori name oi and as a muttonbird. AKA Grey-faced Petrel.
Range and Habitat
Great-winged Petrel: Breeds on offshore islands and coastal headlands and cliffs of northern New Zealand. Pelagic, comes ashore only to breed.
INTERESTING FACTS
Most petrel species can regurgitate their stomach oil as a defense mechanism against predators.
Petrels are tireless fliers by day, at night they rest on the water; many return to land only to breed.
Petrels typically have long nostrils, indicating a strong sense of smell, unusual for birds.
A group of petrels are collectively known as a "gallon" and a "tank" of petrels.
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