58. Collared Petrel
(Pterodroma leucoptera brevipes)
Plate 20

For other subspecies, see Gould's Petrel (36).

Field Characters: 53/28. A small gadfly petrel very similar to Gould's Petrel (36), but with variably grey underbody. Most individuals have a grey breast band, with white throat and belly, but others, except for a white throat, have completely grey underbodies. Some birds may have completely white underbodies, and these individuals are difficult to distinguish from Gould's Petrels (36) at sea. Underwing white with conspicuous black leading margin, similar to Black-winged Petrel (38).

Bill black; feet pale flesh coloured with black extremities.

Breeds on several islands in the South-west Pacific, including New Caledonia, New Hebrides and Fiji. Disperses into the central Pacific. Not recorded from New Zealand.