Pelecanoididae - Diving Petrels

Diving petrels are dark brown or black with white markings. They have stocky bodies; short, thick necks; short wings; and tubular nostrils.

Diving petrels stay closer to land than other members of the procellariiformes order. Diving petrels come onto land to nest. They arrive on their nesting sites at night and nest in colonies. Females lay a single egg in a burrow in the ground. Both the male and female incubate the egg.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Breeds N.H. Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Other Species Around the World
Africa Antarctica Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH
Peruvian Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides garnotii South Georgia Diving-petrel-Pelecanoides georgicus		Magellanic Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides magellani Common Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides urinatrix

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Common Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides urinatrix
The common diving-petrel is found off the coasts of Argentina, Australia, Chile, Falkland Islands, the French Southern Territories, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, New Zealand, Saint Helena, South Africa, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and Uruguay.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Common Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides urinatrix
The common diving-petrel can dive to depths of 200 feet.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Magellanic Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides magellani
The Magellanic diving-petrel is found off the coasts of Argentina, Chile, and the Falkland Islands.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Magellanic Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides magellani
The Magellanic diving-petrel is black on its upperside and white on breast, belly, and rump.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Peruvian Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides garnotii
The Peruvian diving-petrel is found off the coasts of Peru and Chile.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

Peruvian Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides garnotii
The Peruvian diving-petrel is black on its upperside and white on breast, belly, and rump.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No

Peruvian Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides garnotii
The Peruvian diving-petrel breeds on only four islands.
Source: BirdLife International Intended Audience: General Reading Level: High School Teacher Section: No

South Georgia Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides georgicus
The South Georgia diving-petrel breeds on oceanic volcanic islands in the sub-Antarctic.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes

South Georgia Diving-petrel - Pelecanoides georgicus
The South Georgia diving-petrel has blue legs and feet.
Source: Internet Bird Collection Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No