Cook's Petrel
A species of Gadfly Petrels Scientific name : Pterodroma cookii Genus : Gadfly Petrels
Cook's Petrel, A species of Gadfly Petrels
Botanical name: Pterodroma cookii
Genus: Gadfly Petrels
Content
Description General Info
Description
Cook's petrel (Pterodroma cookii) or the blue-footed petrel, is a Procellariform seabird. It is a member of the gadfly petrels and part of the subgroup known as Cookilaria petrels, which includes the very similar Stejneger's petrel.
Size
27 cm (10.5 in)
Feeding Habits
Cook's Petrel primarily consumes fish, squid, and crustaceans. Its hunting involves nocturnal surface-seizing and aerial dipping. Unique adaptations include exceptional night vision for spotting bioluminescent prey.
Habitat
Cook's Petrel inhabits marine environments, favoring highly pelagic areas in temperate and subtropical waters, typically between 15°C and 25°C. They are rarely seen near land except when breeding on offshore islands. Their breeding grounds are located on forested high ridges and slopes, often burrowing in thick vegetation or rock crevices up to 700 meters above sea level. This species used to breed in hills less than 1000 meters high and up to 30 kilometers inland, indicating a historical preference for more accessible terrain.
Dite type
Piscivorous
General Info
Species Status
VULNERABLE. Until recently considered to be Endangered.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Albatrosses and Petrels Family
Shearwaters and petrels Genus
Gadfly Petrels Species
Cook's Petrel