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Story: Petrels

Nest sites

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Nest sites

Some petrels nest by burrowing into soil among tree roots on forested islands. The dips in the ground beneath these trees on Stephens Island are fairy prion burrows, which may be up to 2 metres long. Here, burrows are often shared by tuatara (lizard-like reptiles), which make the most of the shelter they provide.

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Department of Conservation

Reference: 10038673

by J. L. Kendrick

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How to cite this page

Kerry-Jayne Wilson, Petrels – Breeding, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/8574/nest-sites (accessed 25 June 2026).

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