Birds diurnal

Herald Petrel

Pterodroma heraldica

A ghost of the Pacific trade winds, the Herald Petrel is a rare and breathtaking sight for coastal observers. With its dramatic high-speed flight and mysterious polymorphic plumage, this elusive seabird represents the true wild spirit of the open ocean.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 35–39 cm (14–15 in); Wingspan: 88–102 cm (35–40 in); Weight: 280–450 g (10–16 oz)

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Colors

Highly polymorphic; light morphs have grey-brown upperparts and white underparts; dark morphs are entirely sooty brown; intermediate morphs exist. All usually feature a white patch at the base of the underwing primaries.

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Key Features

Distinctive white 'flash' at the base of the underwing primaries
Hooked black bill with prominent tubular nostrils (naricorns)
Long, narrow wings designed for high-arcing dynamic soaring
Plumage varies significantly from pale grey to dark chocolate brown

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours Late afternoon for aerial displays and night for colony arrivals

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Season Varies by location, but generally most visible near land during the breeding season (often September-April)

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Diet A carnivorous surface-feeder that primarily hunts at night, targeting squid, small fish, and crustaceans by snatching them from the water's surface while in flight.

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Habitat Pelagic (open ocean); nests on remote tropical and subtropical islands, often on steep ridges, cliffs, or high-elevation plateaus.

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Behavior

The Herald Petrel is a master of the open ocean, spending the vast majority of its life on the wing. As a member of the 'gadfly petrels,' it is known for its high-speed, acrobatic flight style, often arcing high above the waves before plunging back down. While solitary at sea, they become more vocal and social near their breeding grounds, which are typically remote, high-altitude volcanic islands or coral atolls.

On land, these birds are much more vulnerable and exhibit a clumsy gait. They return to their nesting sites—which can be either deep burrows, rocky crevices, or even surface spots under thick vegetation—primarily during the late afternoon and evening. They are known for their 'wheezing' or whistling calls during aerial displays over the colony, a sound that is hauntingly beautiful against the backdrop of the crashing surf.

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Camera Tips

Capturing a Herald Petrel on camera is a pinnacle achievement for island-based wildlife watchers. Because these birds are pelagic and return to land primarily for breeding, your camera should be positioned on high-elevation ridges or coastal cliff-edges where the birds are known to soar or nest. If you live in a coastal area near a known colony, aim your camera toward the sky at a 45-degree angle to catch their dramatic 'high-arcing' flight patterns during the golden hour before sunset.

For those monitoring potential nesting sites on the ground, place your camera 12 to 18 inches off the ground, pointed toward rocky crevices or the entrances of burrows under dense ferns. Because these birds are often active at the colony after dark to avoid predators, a camera with 'No-Glow' infrared technology is non-negotiable. Standard white-light flashes or even low-glow red LEDs can disorient the birds or attract invasive predators like rats and cats to the nesting site.

Set your camera to 'Burst Mode' or 'Photo + Video.' The Herald Petrel moves with incredible speed; a single still frame often captures only a blurred wing. A 3-shot burst or a 10-second high-definition video clip at 60fps will give you the best chance of seeing the diagnostic white underwing patches. No bait is necessary, as these birds are driven by deep-seated site fidelity and do not respond to traditional bird feeders. Instead, focus on clear lines of sight near windy points where the birds use updrafts to hover.

Similar Species

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

Kermadec Petrel

Slightly larger with white flashes on the upper surface of the wing tips, whereas Herald Petrels usually only have white on the underwing.

Trindade Petrel

Extremely similar and formerly considered the same species; Trindade Petrels are found in the Atlantic while Herald Petrels are Pacific and Indian Ocean residents.

Murphy's Petrel

Lacks the white underwing patches of the Herald Petrel and has a more uniform, sootier appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Herald Petrels are most active near land during the late afternoon when they perform aerial displays over their nesting colonies. They also exhibit significant activity at night when they return to their burrows or surface nests.

You cannot attract Herald Petrels with food or feeders as they feed exclusively on marine life. However, if you live on a remote Pacific island, maintaining native high-elevation vegetation and controlling invasive predators like rats can make your property a safe haven for them to nest.

Their diet consists primarily of squid, small fish, and various crustaceans which they snatch from the surface of the ocean, often while flying.

No, Herald Petrels are strictly pelagic seabirds. They are never found in inland suburban areas and are only seen near land on specific remote tropical islands during their breeding season.

The Herald Petrel is slightly smaller and lacks the prominent white primary shafts on the upperwing that are characteristic of the Kermadec Petrel. Additionally, the Herald Petrel's call is a higher-pitched whistle compared to the Kermadec's deeper sounds.

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