Cape Petrel

Karetai hurukoko is a compact petrel with an unmistakable black-and-white chequerboard across its back and upperwings. The white body, black cap and boldly patched upperwings separate it from every other common New Zealand petrel. Antarctic fulmar is larger and smoothly grey above rather than chequered.

It breeds around Antarctica and on subantarctic islands, including New Zealand’s southern region, and ranges widely into mainland waters in winter. Cape petrels flock around vessels and feed on krill, fish, squid and carrion seized from the surface.

Cape petrel is At Risk — Naturally Uncommon (NZ Threat Classification). Introduced predators at breeding sites and fisheries interactions are local threats. Pelagic trips from Kaikōura and Otago often record it in cooler months; subantarctic voyages are more reliable.