Also called Bermuda Petrel; recorded in North America off the Carolinas. Adult has dark gray nape and back with a weak blackish M pattern on the upperwings that connects across darker upper rump. Whitish U-shaped lower rump patch contrasts with dark gray tail. Shows a broad black leading edge on underwings, with whitish lining and grayish undersides on flight feathers, white underparts, pale rump, black cap, white forehead, and short dark bill. Black-capped Petrel has white collar, a more crisply defined white rump, thicker bill, and shorter wings.

Length: 38 (cm) Wingspan: 89 (cm)

Habitat:

Open ocean, rarely seen from shore.

Behavior:

Breeds on islands; nests in burrows. Spends about five years at sea before returning to nest. Attends nest at night; nocturnal. The Cahow was thought extinct for 330 years, decimated by introduced rats, cats, and dogs, until its rediscovery in the mid-1900s. The species is endangered, with a global population of about 250.

Feeding:

Little-known. Probably eats small squid, shrimp, and fish. Feeds from water's surface.