© Benjamin Hack
© Benjamin Hack
© Derek Rogers
© Peter Flood

Bermuda Petrel Pterodroma cahow

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Identification

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Endangered Atlantic Ocean seabird that nests on Bermuda and disperses widely when not breeding. Handsomely patterned with dark gray and white; note especially the gray on crown, nape, and face that extends unbroken down the sides of the neck in a cowl. The latter feature is usually lacking in the otherwise similar Black-capped Petrel; Bermuda Petrel also typically has a narrower white collar and less white on the rump. When not nesting, it can only be seen far from land, where it often flies in swooping arcs with little flapping. Locally known as “Cahow”, it very nearly went extinct in the mid-twentieth century, but was returned from the brink largely due to the heroic efforts of local conservationists.

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