Black-capped petrel Pterodroma hasitata

Identification Tips:

• Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 35 inches
• Sexes similar
• Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
• Dark bill with tube on top
• White forehead, collar and rump
• Dark upperparts
• White underparts
• Long wings and tail
• White underwing with dark border and dark bar across coverts
• Flight alternates flaps with long glides

Similar species:

Audubon's and Manx Shearwaters lack white collar and rump. Larger Greater Shearwater lacks white forehead and has a duller underwing pattern.

Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.