| Procellaria | |
|---|---|
 | |
| White-chinned petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Procellariiformes |
| Family: | Procellariidae |
| Genus: | Procellaria Linnaeus,1758 |
| Type species | |
| Procellaria aequinoctialis | |
Procellaria is a genus ofSouthern Ocean long-wingedseabirds related toprions, and within theorderProcellariiformes. Theblack petrel (Procellaria parkinsoni) ranges in thePacific Ocean, and as far north asCentral America. Thespectacled petrel (Procellaria conspicillata) is confined to theAtlantic Ocean, and theWestland petrel (Procellaria westlandica) to the Pacific Ocean. Thewhite-chinned (Procellaria aequinoctialis) andgrey petrel (Procellaria cinerea) range throughout the higher latitudes of the Southern Ocean.
The genusProcellaria was introduced in 1758 by the Swedish naturalistCarl Linnaeus in thetenth edition of hisSystema Naturae.[1] The name is from theLatinprocella meaning "storm" or "gale".[2] Thetype species was designated as thewhite-chinned petrel byGeorge Robert Gray in 1840.[3][4]
The genusProcellaria is within the Procellariinae clade, which includes theShearwaters (a monophyletic group comprisingPuffinus,Ardenna andCalonectris) along with a clade of 7-8 species of small stocky petrels inBulweria andPseudobulweria.[5]
There are five extant species, all of which have "petrel" in their common name.[6]
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grey petrel, grey shearwater, or pediunker
| Procellaria cinerea (Gmelin, JF, 1789) | breeds onsubantarctic islands | Size: Habitat: Diet: | NT |
| White-chinned petrel
| Procellaria aequinoctialis Linnaeus, 1758 Two subspecies
| breeds on subantarctic islands | Size: Habitat: Diet: | VU |
| Spectacled petrel
| Procellaria conspicillata Gould, 1844 | breeds onInaccessible Island | Size: Habitat: Diet: | VU |
| Black petrel or Parkinson's petrel
| Procellaria parkinsoni Gray, 1862 | breeds onLittle Barrier Island andGreat Barrier Island | Size: Habitat: Diet: | VU |
| Westland petrel
| Procellaria westlandica Falla, 1946 | breeds onSouth Island | Size: Habitat: Diet: | EN |
Fossil material of an extinct speciesProcellaria altirostris discovered in New Zealand and dating from thePliocene was described in 2021.[7]
Procellaria is a member of thefamilyProcellariidae and theorderProcellariiformes. As members of Procellariiformes, they share certain characteristics. First they have tubular nostrils callednaricorns. This feature gives them their common name, tubenoses. The opening to the nostril is located differently in some birds. These birds have the opening on top of the upperbill. Second, they produce astomach oil that containswax esters andtriglycerides. This oil fills two functions. When predators threaten the birds or their chick or egg, they spit the substance on them. This substance has an awful smell, and mats the feathers down, degrading their usefulness. Also, they can digest the wax esters for a high energy source of food, during long flights or the period of time that they areincubating their egg or caring for their young. They also have a uniquely structured bill, with seven to nine distinct horny plates.[8] Finally, they have asalt gland that is located above their nasal passages and helps desalinate their body, as they drink seawater. They excrete the salty waste out their nose.[9]
They range from the cold waters of theSouthern Ocean totemperate waters, and arepelagic except during the breeding season.
These tubenoses fly likeshearwaters, with stiff wings andshearing technique across wave fronts. This technique saves energy. During breeding season they utilize coastal cliffs on islands, laying their single egg in aburrow.[10]
The conservation status of bird species are designated byBirdLife International on behalf of theInternational Union for Conservation of Nature. The white-chinned, spectacled and black petrel are classified as "Vulnerable", the grey petrel as "Near-threatened" and the Westland petrel as "Endangered".[11] All five members of the genus are listed in theAgreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels.[12]
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