Birds of North America Home Page

Field Guide for all the Birds of North America


Petrels

Pétrels

Procellariidae

Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities


North American Bird Search Box

petrels

There have been at least 13 types of petrels recorded. They have been seen in the oceans surrounding North America. There are maybe six types that are native to the waters. The petrels are part of the tubenose group and are identified by the tube-like vent seen on their upper bill. These are open sea birds who have adapted to constant flying and gliding and use their long wings against the constant winds. They usually have plain coloured plumage and the dark colour on top and light colour below distinguishes them apart.

Click on the bird images or names to see pictures of the Petrels seen in North America

References to Other Bird Sites:

Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.

ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.

I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.


Classic Collection of North American Birds

CCNAB