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Kōrero: Petrels

Small and large petrels

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Small and large petrels

The white-faced storm petrel breeds in large numbers on islands around New Zealand. It is about the size of a bellbird, and weighs 45 grams. When feeding, storm petrels fly close to the water, pattering on the surface with their large webbed feet. This may be the origin of the name ‘petrel’ as the birds appear to be walking on the water like St Peter – although none of the other petrel families share this behaviour.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10042377

by Chris Smuts-Kennedy

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Petrels – Petrels, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/8567/small-and-large-petrels (accessed 25 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerry-Jayne Wilson, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.