Grey-faced petrel

This species was formerly treated as a subspecies of the great-winged petrel (Pterodroma macroptera) but has been recognized as a separate species since 2014. ==Description==

Grey-faced petrels are large birds, with a body length of 42–45 cm and weighing on average . They have a dark black-brown colouration, similar to that of the black-footed albatross, with a black bill and pale grey to buff feathers at the base of the bill and throat. The wings are long and enable a buoyant style of flight. Grey-faced petrels are easily confused with the great-winged petrel (Pterodroma macroptera) where their ranges overlap in the Tasman Sea, as these species are morphologically very similar. ==Distribution==

The grey-faced petrel breeds only in the north of the North Island, New Zealand, from Three Kings Islands in the north to Cape Kidnappers about 600 km south. In a recent literature review, 178 different breeding sites were identified in this area. Outside the breeding season, individuals range over the subtropical southwest Pacific Ocean, including Australia and Norfolk Island, keeping mainly to the area between 25 and 50 degrees south. Vagrants may occasionally enter Antarctic waters. ==Behaviour and ecology==

Breeding The first grey-faced petrels begin returning to the colonies from mid-March but most birds don't start cleaning out their breeding burrows until April. Courtship peaks from late-April to mid-May. The breeding pair then depart on a pre-laying exodus that ranges from 50 to 70 days for females as they form their large single egg. The first eggs are laid from mid-June but laying peaks in the first 10 days of July, with the last eggs laid in late July. Incubation lasts for about 55 days, a responsibility shared by both parents - swapping over about every 17 days. The chick will be fed by the parents for about 120 days before fledging in December or January. Threats and conservation Grey-faced petrels have a considerably large population and range, and so are listed as of 'Least Concern' by the IUCN. One of the largest threats to grey-faced petrels is at breeding grounds, where they are predated on by introduced mammals such as Norway rats. Unattended eggs and young or weak chicks are particularly susceptible to predation, which can impact breeding success rates at colonies. Furthermore, burrowing animals such as rabbits can compete and interfere with grey-faced petrel burrows, which may lead to the birds abandoning them. However, pest eradication projects, such as on Moutohora Island, have allowed some of these colonies to flourish. Town lights have been known to attract some young grey-faced petrels, which are possibly confusing the artificial light for bioluminescent prey. ==Relationship to humans==

In New Zealand some Māori iwi, such as Ngāti Awa and the Hauraki iwi, have customary rights to harvest grey-faced petrel chicks. In the middle of the 20th century, a rāhui (ban) on harvesting was put in place by these iwi due to declining population numbers. However, in light of population recoveries, harvesting has started to resume. Research has been undertaken to identify safe harvest numbers that will not harm colony populations. ==References==