Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae)
Soft-plumaged Petrel (Pterodroma mollis) - HBW 1, p. 242
French: Pétrel soyeux
German: Weichfeder Sturmvogel
Spanish: Petrel Suave
Other common names: Soft-plumaged Fulmar
Taxonomy: Procellaria mollis Gould, 1844, south Atlantic Ocean, lat. 20° S to 40° S.
Formerly included P. feae and P. madeira. Validity of subspecific division doubtful, due mainly to extent of individual variation and effects of plumage wear; race dubia should perhaps give way to alternative name fusca. Rare dark phase may result from hybridization with other species. Two subspecies normally recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution:
- mollis (Gould, 1844) - Tristan da Cunha, Gough I; Antipodes I.
- dubia Clancey et al., 1981 - Prince Edward Is, Crozet, Kerguelen, Amsterdam Is.
- Least Concern Enlarge map
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A bird flying over the water Locality Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa (ssp mollis)
Peter Fraser 31 July 2001 6 years ago 25 sec 4.1 -
An individual (white belly and breast) in flight over the ocean (slow motion at 50%). Locality Atlantic Ocean (ssp mollis)
Josep del Hoyo 20 April 2012 47 weeks ago 24 sec 3.3 -
Typical arcing flight over the sea Locality Scotia Sea (ssp mollis)
Greg Baker 23 February 2005 2 years ago 24 sec 3.3 -
A bird flying Locality Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa (ssp mollis)
Peter Fraser 31 July 2001 6 years ago 28 sec 3.1 -
A bird in fast flight over the sea (50% speed). Locality Atlantic Ocean (ssp mollis)
Josep del Hoyo 19 April 2012 47 weeks ago 18 sec 2.5 -
Distant view of a bird in flight at sea (50% speed). Locality Atlantic Ocean (ssp mollis)
Josep del Hoyo 6 April 2012 48 weeks ago 19 sec 2.4
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Ventral view of a bird soaring on the ocean.
Locality Atlantic Ocean (ssp mollis)
Jordi Sargatal 21 April 2012 21 weeks ago 4 -
An adult in flight at sea
Locality Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Tony Palliser 4 August 2007 1 year ago 3.8 -
Bird following the ship off South Georgia Coast.
Locality South Georgia (ssp mollis)
Christophe Gouraud 19 October 2010 2 years ago 3.6 -
Bird following the ship.
Locality South Georgia (ssp mollis)
Christophe Gouraud 19 October 2010 2 years ago 3.3 -
Underwing flight shot of a bird passing closely across the stern of the ship
Locality Gough Island, Tristan da Cunha Archipelago (ssp mollis)
Alan Tate 1 April 2006 3 years ago 3.3 -
Bird following the ship off South Georgia Coast.
Locality South Georgia (ssp mollis)
Christophe Gouraud 19 October 2010 2 years ago 3.1
- No sound recordings available yet
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