White-naped Petrel

White-naped petrel is a large dark-backed gadfly petrel with a white forehead and nape framing a dark cap. The white nape, dark cap, grey back and white underside form a strong pattern, and the underwing has a dark border.

The New Zealand population breeds on Macauley Island in the Kermadec group and ranges through subtropical Pacific waters. It makes high sweeping arcs over waves, takes fish and squid, and nests in burrows beneath island vegetation.

White-naped petrel is At Risk — Relict (NZ Threat Classification). Past introduced predators reduced its range, leaving dependence on a small number of secure islands. The Kermadec region is the principal New Zealand area; sightings near the mainland require specialist oceanic trips.