Typical gadfly petrel with long, angular wings, long tail, and rapid, banking flight. Very similar to Fea's Petrel, but slightly smaller and has a smaller bill and a more rounded head. As in Fea's Petrel, underwing is mainly dark, underparts are white, and hood is gray with darker eye-surround. Upperparts gray with darker W-shape across wings and mantle. Breeds on mountaintops in Madeira only. Forages at sea.