Birds nocturnal

Grey Petrel

Procellaria cinerea

Meet the 'Pediunker,' a winter-breeding voyager that navigates the roughest seas of the Southern Hemisphere. With its striking grey-and-white plumage and elite diving skills, the Grey Petrel is a majestic ghost of the sub-Antarctic islands.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 48-50 cm (19-20 in); Wingspan: 115-130 cm (45-51 in); Weight: 1.0-1.3 kg (2.2-2.9 lbs)

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Colors

Ash-grey upperparts and head, contrasting sharply with pure white underparts. The underwings and underside of the tail are a dark, smoky grey. The bill is a distinctive greenish-yellow with black markings.

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Key Features

Ash-grey upper plumage with white belly
Large, pale greenish-yellow bill with black tube nostrils
Dark grey underwings
Heavy, robust body built for deep diving

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 10 PM - 4 AM (at breeding colonies); Diurnal when foraging at sea

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Season March-October (Breeding season)

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Diet Primarily carnivorous, feeding on squid, small fish, and crustaceans. They use a mix of surface-seizing and deep pursuit-diving to catch their meals.

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Habitat Pelagic (open ocean) throughout the Southern Hemisphere; nests in burrows on remote, grassy sub-Antarctic islands.

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Behavior

The Grey Petrel, often called the 'Pediunker' by sailors, is a master of the turbulent Southern Ocean. Unlike many of its relatives that migrate north to escape the cold, this species is a winter breeder, returning to sub-Antarctic islands just as the weather turns most severe. They are highly social at sea, frequently gathering in large flocks where food is abundant, and they are notorious 'ship-followers,' often trailing fishing vessels for miles to scavenge for discarded scraps.

On land, their behavior shifts dramatically to avoid predators like skuas. They are strictly nocturnal when visiting their nesting sites, arriving under the cover of darkness and using their sharp claws and bills to scramble toward their underground burrows. Despite their somewhat clumsy appearance on land, they are elite athletes in the water, capable of diving to depths of nearly 30 meters (98 feet) to pursue prey—a feat few other petrels can match.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Grey Petrel on camera requires focusing on their breeding grounds on remote southern islands. Because these birds are strictly nocturnal on land, your camera must be equipped with high-quality infrared (IR) capabilities. Position your camera on a low-profile stake about 1 to 2 feet off the ground, aiming directly at a known burrow entrance. An angle of 45 degrees downward is ideal for capturing the bird as it lands and 'shuffles' toward the tunnel mouth.

Trigger speed is the most critical setting for this species. Grey Petrels land quickly and scuttle into their burrows to minimize their time in the open where predators lurk. Set your camera to its fastest possible trigger speed—ideally 0.2 seconds or less—and use a 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo Loop' to capture a sequence of images. This ensures you get a clear shot of the bird's face and bill for identification before it disappears underground.

To protect the birds' sensitive night vision, always use 'No-Glow' or black infrared LEDs (940nm wavelength). Standard red-glow IR or white flashes can startle the birds and potentially lead them into the path of predators. Additionally, because their habitat is often characterized by extreme wind and freezing rain, use a heavy-duty security housing and treat the lens with an anti-fog solution to prevent the bird's warm breath from clouding the image during close-up shots.

If you are setting up a camera near a colony, look for 'take-off' points—usually high, grassy ridges where the birds climb to catch the wind. Placing a camera here can capture incredible footage of the birds stretching their wings and preparing for flight. Avoid using lures or baits, as these can disrupt the natural ecosystem of the islands and attract unwanted predators to the nesting sites.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Grey Petrel.

White-chinned Petrel

Much darker overall plumage with no white on the underparts except for a small chin patch.

Soft-plumaged Petrel

Significantly smaller with a dark grey 'hood' and a prominent dark breast band.

Buller's Shearwater

Features a distinct 'M' pattern across its wings and a much slimmer, darker bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Grey Petrels are nocturnal when they are on land at their breeding colonies to avoid predators. However, when they are out at sea foraging, they are active during the day, scanning the water for squid and fish.

Grey Petrels are pelagic seabirds and do not visit suburban backyards. They are only found in the open ocean or on remote sub-Antarctic islands. To support them, focus on supporting ocean conservation and sustainable fishing practices.

Their diet consists mainly of squid and fish. They are remarkable divers, plunging deep beneath the surface to chase prey, but they will also scavenge for offal near fishing boats.

No, they are never found in suburban areas. Their life is spent almost entirely at sea between latitudes 32°S and 58°S, only coming to land on isolated islands to breed.

The easiest way to distinguish them is by color. Grey Petrels have a white belly and grey back, whereas White-chinned Petrels are almost entirely dark brown or blackish with only a small patch of white on the chin.

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