Procellariidae

The 'tubenosed' seabirds of this diverse family spend much of their time at sea. They have exceptional flight capabilities and are well adapted for ocean life. Because many species only come ashore to breed at remote sites, their life history is incomplete, and the family includes some of the least known of all bird species.

Additional information

The nostrils extend as a tube along the the culmen ridge; excess salt from food and water is extracted by larger glands above the eyes and secreted from the nostrils. The maxilla has a sharp cutting edge to cut squid or fish; in prions (genus Pachyptila), it has lamellae, which are used to filter plankton out of the water. The massive, hooked bill of two giant petrel species (genus Macronectes) enables them to tear flesh from carcasses in a manner reminiscent of vultures.

All species share an intense musty smell, originating from the production of stomach oil, which is used as a defense against predators and as high-energy food for nestlings.

Most species occur in small to large flocks, or form aggregations in areas of plentiful food resources. Flight usually comprises several flaps followed by a glide, some species arcing high into the air; the birds can cover great distances with little effort. They are also good swimmers, but the leg position does not allow most to walk or stand for any period; only the albatross-like giant petrels can walk or stand well. Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) frequents ice floes; it does not swim or even rest on water as other species do.

The birds are colonial or loosely colonial. They are monogamous, breeding at 3-12 years of age, depending on species. Most probably mate for life. Many species perform communal courtship flights. A single egg is laid each season. The chick is fed an energy-rich mixture of partially digested prey and stomach oil. However, the parents abandon it once it is fully feathered.

Taxonomy 

Number of genera: 14

Number of species: 74

A list of all species can be found here.

The taxonomy is still not well resolved. Four to five subfamilies are commonly recognized, primarily by morphology and breeding behavior: 

• Fulmar-petrels
• Prions
• Gadfly-petrels
• Petrels
• Shearwaters

Some genera remain problematic (such as Aphodroma, Halobaena, Procellaria, Bulweria, Pseudobulweria). Morphologically, the fulmar-petrels are the most diverse group, but they share similarities in diet and breeding biology. In other groups most members are easier to classify as such by general appearance and structure, bill structure, and flight behavior. Recent studies suggest that the diving petrels (family Pelecanoididae) should be included in the same family as petrels and shearwaters.