Grey petrel
| Grey petrel | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Procellariiformes |
| Family: | Procellariidae |
| Genus: | Procellaria |
| Species: | P. cinerea |
| Binomial name | |
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Procellaria cinerea (Gmelin, 1789) |
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The grey petrel (Procellaria cinerea), also called the brown petrel, pediunker or grey shearwater is a species of seabird in the Procellariidae, or petrel family. It occurs in the open seas of the Southern Hemisphere, mainly between 49°S and 32°S.
The grey petrel is a member of the Procellaria genus, and in turn is member of the family Procellariidae, and the Procellariiformes order. As a member of the Procellariiformes, they share certain identifying features. First, they have nasal passages that attach to the upper bill called naricorns. Although the nostrils on the petrel are on top of the upper bill. The bills of Procellariiformes are also unique in that they are split into between seven and nine horny plates. They produce a stomach oil made up of wax esters and triglycerides that is stored in the proventriculus. This can be sprayed out of their mouths as a defence against predators and as an energy rich food source for chicks and for the adults during their long flights. Finally, they also have a salt gland that is situated above the nasal passage and helps desalinate their bodies, due to the high amount of ocean water that they imbibe. It excretes a high saline solution from their nose.
The grey petrel has been called the pediunker, grey shearwater, and brown petrel.
Procellaria comes from two Latin words, procella meaning "storm" and arius a suffix meaning "pertaining to". This is in reference to their association with stormy weather. The word petrel is derived from Saint Peter and the story of his walking on water. This is in reference to the petrels' habit of appearing to run on the water to take off.
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Wikipedia