About Pterodroma mollis (Gould, 1844)
The soft-plumaged petrel (Pterodroma mollis) is a medium-sized petrel. Its plumage is dark grey and white, with narrow wings and a pointed tail that is distinct in flight. It has a dark grey head, with prominent white feathers on the cheeks and throat. The forehead has white speckling, and there is a prominent dark eye patch. Most of its underside is white, while the underwings are dark grey. Its bill is black, measures around 25–32 mm long, and has a sharp hook. Its legs are pink, with black markings on the outer webs and toes. There is also a dark morph, which is a distinct plumage variation of this species. Both sexes are vocal, producing medium-pitched moans and shrill squeaks. This species breeds on islands in the Southern Hemisphere; its breeding locations include Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, the Prince Edward Islands, Crozet Islands, Macquarie Island, and the Antipodes Islands of New Zealand. Small numbers also breed in the Maatsuyker Island Group of southern Tasmania. Outside of the breeding season, it disperses, reaching eastern South America as far north as Brazil, southern Africa, and Australia. It has been recorded as a vagrant in Norway and Jordan.
