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Tuatara: Volume 21, Issues 1 and 2 (New Zealand Albatrosses and Petrels: an Identification Guide)

21. Bird of Providence — (Pterodroma solandri) — Plate 9

21. Bird of Providence
(Pterodroma solandri)
Plate 9

Field Characters: 94/41. A medium to large-sized greyish-brown petrel with conspicuous white triangular patches in the central section of the underwing, formed by white bases to the primaries. Forehead page 35 and face mottled with white, appearing lighter than the rest of head and neck. Plumage otherwise entirely dark. Tail long and slightly wedge shaped.

Bill stout, black; feet dark grey.

Flight with high arcing and prolonged steady gliding, slow powerful wingbeats in calm weather. Does not follow ships.

Differs from the Grey-faced Petrel (16) by its white underwing patches, but difficult to distinguish at sea from the dark-phased Kermadec Petrel (27).

Winter breeder on Lord Howe Island, disperses to Northern Hemisphere in non-breeding season. Only once recorded from New Zealand.