Magellanic Diving Petrel
A species of Diving Petrels Scientific name : Pelecanoides magellani Genus : Diving Petrels
Magellanic Diving Petrel, A species of Diving Petrels
Botanical name: Pelecanoides magellani
Genus: Diving Petrels
Content
Description General Info
Description
This short, compact petrel ranges from 19-22 cm (7.4-8.7 in) in length, and weighs anywhere between 5-6 oz (males are typically heavier than females). The head of P. magellani is black, bordered by a contrasting white that leads into a distinctive white crescent extending up towards the back of the neck . The rest of the body follows a strong penguin-like black above, white below scheme, with some white streaks around the sides of the nape and on the scapulars. They also have some blackish-grey mottling on the flank region and sometimes on the sides of the breast. The upperwing is mostly black, with white edges on the secondaries; the underwing coverts are white (with some fragments of black on the "arm"), while the underside of the flight feathers are light grey. The tail feathers (rectrices) are mostly black above (but may appear brown in some lighting) with nearly invisible white tips, and mainly white to a very light grey below. The bill is mostly black, as well as the upward-facing nostrils (which are unique only to the diving-petrels), the legs and feet are a light slate-blue to light blue with black-brownish webs, and black claws, and the eyes are a very dark brown color. It only overlaps with the Peruvian diving-petrel, P. garnotii, but the two are distinguishable by the visible white crescent of the Magellanic vs. the nearly all-black head of the Peruvian. 
Size
22 cm
Feeding Habits
Magellanic Diving Petrel forages by diving over 10 ft deep, propelling with wings to pursue prey underwater for up to a minute. Magellanic Diving Petrel's diet primarily includes small crustaceans, copepods, amphipods, and likely small fish. They use gular pouches to transport and regurgitate food for their chicks.
Habitat
The magellanic Diving Petrel primarily inhabits inshore and offshore marine waters. Its breeding grounds are typically on vegetated slopes of small inshore islands located in channels and fjords. The surrounding vegetation often includes plants like Azorella and Empetrum. The magellanic Diving Petrel favors these environments across broader geographical regions of the Southern Ocean.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Distribution Area
P. magellani breeds on vegetated slopes on coastal and nearshore islands, typically in fjords and channels, in southern Chile, Argentina, and Tierra del Fuego and forages in offshore and inshore waters in the area.
Species Status
The Magellanic diving-petrel is considered as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Their population is estimated anywhere from 6,700-330,000 individuals; they are under no immediate threat, but are presumed to be affected by invasive species (i.e. rats or mice) and human activity, namely periodic guano harvests, could be a threat. However, the species is not well-known, and extensive research is required to evaluate current population trends and new threats.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Albatrosses and Petrels Family
Pelecanoididae Genus
Diving Petrels Species
Magellanic Diving Petrel 
Download Picture Bird
Identify any bird by photo or sound in seconds
Identify any bird by photo or sound in seconds
