White-chinned Petrels

I have previously briefly mentioned white-chins as being one of our study species and came across them for the first time during the geep census. White-chins are a petrel species in the order Procellariiformes - in other words 'tubenoses'. All petrels make up this order with fulmars and shearwaters, albatrosses, storm petrels and diving petrels. All are given this name due to the nostrils being located in a tube-like structure on top of the bill; smell plays a key role in foraging for these birds.

All Procellariiformes have very strong pair-bonds (not necessarily for life, although that can happen, but certainly long-term) and return to the same colonies to breed each year. They lay just one egg and whilst larger species like giant petrels and albatross nest above ground the smaller species nest in burrows for safety from predators. White-chins are one such species, digging their burrows with their beaks and claws - this is why seeing them above ground has been difficult.

But recently there have been a couple of locations on BI where the white-chins seem to really like sitting just outside their burrows, so we have unexpectedly been able to see them up close. Therefore, here are some much better photos of white-chins:

Calling to each other

Outside the burrow with the signs of digging on their beaks

Stunning looking birds with the small white patch on the chin in clear view

To think, this image isn't zoomed in at all! He must like the camera!

A clear view of the tubenose - petrels have excellent senses of smell

I certainly feel very lucky to be able to work with the more elusive species on BI as well as the larger albatrosses and geeps. Getting views of white-chins like this will always be a highlight for me!