The Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii) is a small petrel that was named after the Scottish naturalist James Bulwer.
Distribution / Range
Bulwer’s Petrel breed in the north Atlantic in colonies on islands in the Cape Verde Islands, Azores, Canary Islands and Madeira groups; as well as on islands across the north Pacific from east of China to Hawaii.
After the breeding season, they spend the rest of the year at sea – mainly in tropical waters.
This species has been recorded in Europe as a rare vagrant to Ireland, Great Britain, Portugal and the Netherlands. It has also appeared as a vagrant in North America, with rare sightings far off the coast of both California and North Carolina.
This very long-winged petrel measures 25-29 cm in length (including its long, pointed tail) and has a 78-90 cm wingspan.
Its plumage is mostly brown.
Diet / Feeding
It mostly feeds on planktonic food items picked from the ocean surface.