The Endangered Bermuda Petrel

The Endangered Bermuda Petrel

Bermuda Petrel aka the Cahow

The Bermuda Petrel is the national seabird of the island of Bermuda.

Only about 250 remain and the Bermudans are currently implementing massive conservational efforts to help the species survive.

Bermuda Petrel - Cahow
Bermuda Petrel aka the Cahow

The Bermuda Petrel is a nocturnal, ground-nesting seabird; the young Petrel stays at sea for about five years before it comes back to land to breed.

The islanders have a nickname for the bird: “Cahow” which is derived the sound of its call.

From the year 1620, for 330 years, the bird was thought to be extinct, and then In 1951, 18 nesting pairs were discovered on the Bremudan coast by Robert Murphy (an American ornithologist), Louis Mowbray (a Bermudian naturalist), and a David Wingate (a 15-year-old Bermudian boy). 15 years later Wingate became Bermuda’s first conservation officer and dedicated his life to saving the bird.

Since then the Bermuda petrel has become a symbol of hope for nature conservation.

One of the birds was seen near Ireland in 2014, the furthest from Bermuda the bird has ever been sighted.

Conservation status:  Endangered

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Rory Wilson

I am an avid hiker, birdwatcher and camper. I love the outdoors. I initially started Birding Planet to share my bird videos, now I enjoy connecting with birdwatchers around the world. Come join the Birding Planet group at facebook.com/groups/birdingplanet


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