About Oceanites maorianus (Mathews, 1932)
Taxonomic Identification
The New Zealand storm petrel (scientific name Oceanites maorianus (Mathews, 1932)) is a small seabird.
Upperpart Coloration
Its upperparts are dark brown or black, with the exception of a white rump.
Underpart and Limb Appearance
On its underparts, the area from the throat to the breast is black, while the belly is white with black streaking, and its feet extend well past the tip of the tail.
Breeding Site Activity Pattern
At breeding sites, this storm petrel is strictly nocturnal, a behavior that helps it avoid predation by larger, more aggressive gulls and skuas.
Locomotion Ability
Like most petrels, it has limited walking ability, and can only shuffle a short distance to reach its burrow.
Similar Species Distinguishing Features
It can be distinguished from Wilson's storm petrel (O. oceanicus), the more common petrel species found in New Zealand, by several features: a pale bar on the upper wing, a streaked white belly, a narrow white panel on the underwings, longer legs, and dark webs on the feet.
Non-breeding Habitat
Outside of the breeding season, the New Zealand storm petrel is pelagic and stays out at sea.
Observability Challenges
Combined with its remote breeding sites, this pelagic lifestyle makes the species very difficult to observe.
