Habitat
Marine, pelagic, in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic waters, migrating through tropical waters to the far northern Pacific during the non-breeding season.
Voice
Normally silent outside of the breeding season. Noisy at colonies at night. A loud, complex, far-carrying, strident hysterical giggle or chatter, 'ti-ti-ti...' is the most commonly heard call. Harsh rasping cries uttered when fighting over burrows. Young utter a high-pitched squeak when disturbed.
Mottled Petrel (Pterodroma inexpectata) [XC295660]
by id from Stewart Island, Southland District, Southland, New Zealand (call, song)
Nest
A chamber at the end of a burrow, lined with grass or leaves.
Eggs (Guide)
1; smooth, slightly glossy, white; sub-ellipsoidal, slightly tapered at one end; 55 - 64 x 41 - 49 mm. Incubation: about 50 days; by both sexes.
Young
Semi-altricial, nidicolous. Fledge in about 90 - 105 days.
Subspecies
Probably interbreeds with Kerguelen Petrel (Aphrodroma brevirostris) and Soft-plumaged Petrel (Pterodroma mollis) forming superspecies.
No subspecies.
Similar Species
Dark morph of Collared Petrel (Pterodroma brevipes) which is noticebly smaller and less stocky.
References
See References.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9
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BirdLife International Species Factsheet