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Story: Petrels

Tube noses

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Tube noses

All petrels have prominent tube-shaped nostrils. These are either on the sides of their bill (albatrosses) or on the top (all the other petrels). Northern giant petrels have particularly long tubes. Most petrels have a well-developed sense of smell, which helps them find food and their nesting place. The tubes also drain away excess salt, which is excreted from a gland above the eyes.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10056420

by Tui De Roy

Courtesy of Roving Tortoise Worldwide Nature Photography

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How to cite this page

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Petrels – Petrels, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8569/tube-noses (accessed 16 June 2026).

Story by Kerry-Jayne Wilson, published 2 March 2009.