Soft-plumaged Petrel

Soft-plumaged petrel is a medium gadfly petrel with a grey back, white underside and a dark partial breast band. The pale face and chin, dark eye patch and partial grey breast band distinguish it from the more completely dark-hooded Chatham Island tāiko. A faint dark M crosses the upperwings.

It breeds on southern ocean islands and visits deep New Zealand waters, especially around the subantarctic region. Birds wheel high above waves and feed on squid, fish and crustaceans; pairs nest in burrows and lay one egg.

Soft-plumaged petrel is At Risk — Naturally Uncommon (NZ Threat Classification). Introduced mammals at breeding colonies and attraction to artificial lights are important risks. Southern pelagic and subantarctic voyages provide the best chance; it is seldom identifiable from shore.