About Pterodroma incerta (Schlegel, 1863)
The Atlantic petrel, with the scientific name Pterodroma incerta (Schlegel, 1863), is a gadfly petrel that is endemic to the South Atlantic Ocean. It breeds in very large colonies on Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island. When at sea, its range extends from Brazil to Namibia; most sightings at sea occur west of its breeding islands, and along the subtropical convergence. Adult Atlantic petrels measure around 43 cm in length. They are powerful, large, stocky seabirds that are mostly dark in color with a white belly. The head can appear grey when the plumage is worn. The underwings and undertail have brown coloring. On average, these petrels live for 15 years.
For habitat and ecology: the species feeds mostly on squid, which make up 87% of its diet in some studies. It also feeds on lanternfishes (family Myctophidae) when these fish ascend to the surface at night, as well as on crustaceans and some other fish. This species is known to have nocturnal breeding habits. Its nesting sites are located 50 to 300 meters above sea level on cliffsides on Gough Island; historically, on Tristan da Cunha, nesting sites were found at elevations upwards of 700 meters. It nests in burrows that it digs into peaty soils within fern-bush vegetation.
