procellariids

Procellariids are a diverse family of seabirds within the order Procellariiformes, commonly called true petrels and shearwaters. The family Procellariidae contains around 60 species across several genera, including Procellaria (giant petrels), Calonectris (shearwaters), Puffinus and Ardenna (shearwaters), Fulmarus (fulmars), Daption (Cape petrel), and Macronectes (giant petrels). They are highly pelagic, spending most of their lives at sea, and are adapted for oceanic life with long, stiff wings, tubular nostrils on the bill, and a salt-excreting gland.

They nest on remote islands and ice-free coasts, often in colonies. Most species lay a single egg per season, with a prolonged chick-rearing period. Adults perform extensive migrations between breeding sites and feeding areas across oceans. Their diets include fish, squid, and crustaceans, and feeding methods range from surface gleaning to plunging dives in larger species. They are generally dark above and pale below, though plumage varies among genera.

Conservation concerns are serious for many procellariids. Major threats include bycatch in longline fisheries, predation by introduced mammals on breeding islands, plastic debris, and habitat loss. Conservation actions focus on bycatch mitigation, predator eradication or control on breeding grounds, and protection of important colonies.