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Westland Petrel
Birds nocturnal

Westland Petrel

Procellaria westlandica

The Westland Petrel is the mysterious 'ghost of the forest,' a seafaring giant that travels thousands of miles across the Pacific only to return to a hidden burrow beneath the New Zealand rainforest.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Length: 50-55 cm (20-22 in); Wingspan: 135-140 cm (53-55 in); Weight: 1,100 g (2.4 lbs)

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Colors

Uniformly dark blackish-brown plumage; pale ivory or yellow bill with a distinct black tip; black legs and feet.

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Key Features

  • Stocky, heavy-set body
  • Pale yellow bill with a prominent black tip
  • Uniformly dark chocolate-brown to black feathers
  • Large burrows located on forested hillsides

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal
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Peak hours 6 PM - 10 PM (Arrival) and 3 AM - 6 AM (Departure)
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Season March-December
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Diet A mix of fish, squid, and crustaceans caught at the ocean surface; they are also well-known scavengers of fishery waste from trawlers.
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Habitat Breeds exclusively in dense, temperate rainforests on steep coastal hillsides; spends the rest of its time in the open ocean.

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Behavior

The Westland Petrel is a remarkable seabird that balances a life on the high seas with a unique breeding cycle in the temperate rainforests of New Zealand. Unlike many other petrels, they are winter breeders, returning to their colonies when many other species have departed. They are highly social and vocal, particularly at night when the forest canopy echoes with their guttural croaks, cackles, and shrieks as they greet mates and defend their burrows.

On land, these birds can appear somewhat clumsy. They arrive at their colonies just after dusk, often crash-landing through the forest canopy before scuttling across the leaf litter to reach their underground homes. They are master navigators at sea, often following fishing vessels for hundreds of miles to scavenge for scraps, showing a bold and opportunistic side to their personality that contrasts with their cautious behavior at the nesting site.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Westland Petrel on camera is a thrilling challenge because they are strictly nocturnal on land and inhabit very specific, rugged terrain. If you are monitoring a known colony area, the most effective placement is roughly 12 to 18 inches off the ground. Angle the camera slightly downward toward a burrow entrance or a clear 'runway' in the forest floor where birds are likely to walk. Because they are heavy birds that land with a distinct 'thud' before walking, a wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing them as they emerge from the shadows of the ferns.

Lighting is the most critical factor. Westland Petrels are highly susceptible to 'sky-strike' or disorientation caused by artificial white light. It is essential to use a camera equipped with 'No-Glow' or 'Black' Infrared (IR) LEDs. This ensures the birds aren't startled or blinded as they navigate the dark forest floor. Set your camera to take short video clips (10-15 seconds) rather than just stills; the way these birds scuttle and interact with their environment is a key part of their charm and much easier to identify in motion.

Timing is everything for this species. Ensure your camera is active from late March through December, with the highest frequency of movement occurring during the chick-rearing months of late winter and spring. Avoid using any form of bait or food lure; these birds are strictly pelagic feeders and won't be attracted to standard bird food. Instead, look for 'launch trees'—sloping trunks or rocks where the birds climb to get enough elevation to take flight at dawn—and position your camera to catch their morning departure.

Similar Species

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

White-chinned Petrel

Very similar but has a completely pale bill without the distinct black tip of the Westland Petrel.

Black Petrel

Also known as Parkinson's Petrel, it is smaller and nests on New Zealand's offshore islands rather than the mainland forest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Westland Petrels are strictly nocturnal when on land to avoid predators. They are most active during the first few hours after sunset when they arrive at the colony, and just before dawn when they depart for the ocean.
Because Westland Petrels only breed in a specific area near Punakaiki, New Zealand, you cannot attract them to a typical backyard. The best way to help them is by reducing light pollution, which can disorient them during their nocturnal flights.
Their diet consists of squid, fish, and small crustaceans caught at sea. They are also famous for following commercial fishing boats to eat discarded offal and bycatch.
No, they are one of the rarest petrels in the world and are endemic to a very small stretch of the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. They are rarely seen inland away from their specific breeding colonies.
While they look similar, the Westland Petrel is slightly smaller and has a distinct black tip on its pale yellow bill. The White-chinned Petrel usually has a small white patch under the chin, though this can sometimes be missing.

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