COMMON DIVING PETREL

Photographed on the crossing from Bluff, South Island New Zealand to Stewart Island, New Zealand, April, 2019

(*1236)                       COMMON DIVING PETREL                   Pelecanoides urinatrix

NEW ZEALAND                 98

Known by Maori name Kuaka. Breeds circumpolar subantartic. Main NZ sites off eastern North Island, Cook and Foveaux Straits, Chatham Islands, The Snares, Antipodes and Auckland Islands.

COMMON DIVING PETREL

Photographed on Eaglehawk pelagic, Tasmania, January 2018

1236                 COMMON DIVING PETREL                 Pelecanoides urinatrix

AUSTRALIA              729

Also known simply as Diving Petrel, it is the smallest of the Diving Petrels. Native to waters of South Africa and islands of the southern Indian Ocean, islands and islets off New Zealand and south-east Australian islands. Feeds on continental shelf during breeding season; movements during non-breeding season are poorly known. Catches prey by wing propelled diving, up to 60m; feeds on crustaceans, but known to forage at night on migrating plankton.