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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Procellariidae
  4. ›
  5. Pterodroma
  6. ›
  7. Kermadec Petrel
Kermadec Petrel
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Kermadec Petrel

Pterodroma neglecta(Schlegel, 1863)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Native
Order
PROCELLARIIFORMES
Family
Procellariidae
Genus
Pterodroma

At a glance

The Kermadec Petrel is a large bird, about 38 cm long, listed as Least Concern and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
38 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Kermadec Petrel look like?

The Kermadec Petrel is a large bird, about 38 cm long and weighing 370–590 g.

The Kermadec petrel is a species of gadfly petrel in the family Procellariidae. It is 38 cm long with a wingspan of 100 cm. It is polymorphic, with light, dark and intermediate morphs known. It eats squid, fish and other marine creatures.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
38 cm
Weight
370–590 g
Wingspan
91 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Kermadec Petrel?

The Kermadec Petrel is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Kermadec Petrel eat?

The Kermadec Petrel feeds on fish/invertebrates, usually foraging alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

3 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Kermadec Petrel live in Australia?

The Kermadec Petrel is native to Australia, recorded across 5 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingSubtropical Pacific Ocean: Round I. (north-east of Mauritius, central Mascarenes, south-west Indian Ocean); Lord Howe and Norfolk is. (far east of Australia), Kermadec Is. (north-east of North I., New Zealand), Pitcairn to Easter (=Eastern groups; east Polynesia) and Juan Fernandez, San Ambrosio and San Felix (Desventuradas Is.; far west of north-central Chile)

Non-breedingTo east Australia, north-west and east-central Pacific to Hawaii and Peru

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Non-breeding

2 regions recorded