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| The ''' gadfly petrels ''' are ]s in the ] order ''Procellariiformes''. These medium to large ]s feed on food items picked from the ocean surface. | The ''' gadfly petrels ''' are ]s in the ] order ''Procellariiformes''. These medium to large ]s feed on food items picked from the ocean surface. | ||
| The short, sturdy bills of the 30 species are adapted for soft prey at the surface; they have twisted intestines for digesting marine animals which have unusual biochemistries. | The short, sturdy bills of the 30 ''Pterodroma'' species in this group are adapted for soft prey taken at the surface; they have twisted intestines for digesting marine animals which have unusual biochemistries. | ||
| Their complex wing and face marking are probably for interspecific recognition. | Their complex wing and face marking are probably for interspecific recognition. | ||
Revision as of 13:06, 10 May 2003
| Gadfly Petrels | ||||||||||
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The gadfly petrels are seabirds in the bird order Procellariiformes. These medium to large petrels feed on food items picked from the ocean surface.
The short, sturdy bills of the 30 Pterodroma species in this group are adapted for soft prey taken at the surface; they have twisted intestines for digesting marine animals which have unusual biochemistries.
Their complex wing and face marking are probably for interspecific recognition.
These birds nest in colonies on islands and are pelagic when not breeding. One white egg is laid usually in a burrow or on open ground. They are nocturnal at the breeding colonies.
Some species are: