(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)

Black-capped Petrel - Pterodroma hasitata

Identification Tips:

  1. Length: 13 inches Wingspan: 35 inches
  2. Sexes similar
  3. Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
  4. Dark bill with tube on top
  5. White forehead, collar and rump
  6. Dark upperparts
  7. White underparts
  8. Long wings and tail
  9. White underwing with dark border and dark bar across coverts
  10. Flight alternates flaps with long glides

Similar species:

Audubon's and Manx Shearwaters lack white collar and rump. Larger Greater Shearwater lacks white forehead and has a duller underwing pattern.