Chatham Island Petrel

Chatham Petrels nest in burrows under the forest canopy to which they are generally faithful to over time. Leaves are used as nesting material. Each pair lays a single white egg in December-January and the chicks fledge in May-June.

The Chatham Island Petrel is classified as Endangered (EN), considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

The Chatham Island petrel formerly bred in the forested areas of Pitt Island, Mangere, Rangatira and Chatham Island but due largely to the impacts of predation by rats and cats, they have been absent from all those sites except Rangatira for the last 100 years. However, they have been successfuly translocated back to the main island in recent years, after it was determined that another of the main reasons for decline was competition with broad billed prions, Pachyptila vittata, for breeding sites. More

the Chatham Island Petrel and we will be keeping a close watch for the Magenta Petrel. Arrive at the Bounty Islands early morning to Zodiac cruise. Erect-crested Penguin and the Bounty Island Shag will feature on our bird lists. Day 14: En route to the Chatham Archipelago will be more time for pelagic watching - we will be especially interested in looking out for the Chatham Island Petrel (it has been seen on this leg of the voyage before) and also the legendary Chatham Island Taiko (Magenta Petrel). More

looking out for the Chatham Island petrel (it has been seen on this leg of the voyage before) and also the very rare Chatham Island taiko or magenta petrel (which has also been seen on this part of the voyage before) This afternoon we will arrive at the spectacular Pyramid Rock - which is the only breeding place of the Chatham Island albatross. More

Chatham Island Petrel (it has been seen on this leg of the voyage before) and also the very rare Chatham Island Taiko or Magenta Petrel. Days 15 & 16 We will arrive at the Chatham More

Chatham Island Petrel breeds only on South East (Rangitiira) Island. In the non-breeding season (July-Nov), most of the population leaves the islands, but their winter range is unknown. The population appears to increasing in response to intensive management by Department of Conservation. Chatham Albatross breeds only on one rock stack, The Pyramid, with a total population of possibly up to 18,000 – 20,000 individuals. More

chance of encountering Chatham Island Petrel, which breeds only in the Chathams, and we will all secretly be hoping for the miraculous appearance of a Magenta Petrel (or Taiko), a near-extinct species that breeds in the Chathams and which has only been seen at sea a few times in the modern era. Day 17 Today we arrive at the Chatham Islands. This remote archipelago has been isolated for thousands of years and both the birds and plants show a high degree of endemism. More