Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), Yuma, Yuma County

This Hawaiian Petrel was discovered dead by Thomas and Lynne Knapp and photographed by Thomas Knapp on 24 August 2013.  They found the bird dead after a series of storms, at a vacant gravel lot on the north side of Yuma at the intersection of 8th Street and 6th Avenue, which would be about 722450 W / 3622000 N.  It was already stiffened into the position shown in the photos.

First state record, probably the first inland record of this species for North America and probably the first specimen for the lower 48 states.  I recently called the discovery of Ivory Gull in Arizona "one of the most unexpected and extraordinary bird records in Arizona birding history."  Little did I know that record would be trumped so soon as the most extraordinary recent find in Arizona.  This species breeds in Hawaii and is a very rare visitor far off the Pacific Coast in North America, although it is perhaps regular off Northern California.  Its occurance in Arizona is extraordinary and unprecedented.

The Dark-rumped Petrel was split a few years ago into Hawaiian and Galapagos Petrels (P. phaeopygia).  Both are separated from other Gadfly (Pterodroma) Petrels by their completely black dorsal surface.  Hawaiian differs from Galapagos in having a small white notch on the neck behind the eye, lacking dark mottling on the flanks, a narrow dark trailing edge to the wing and a relatively small bill.  All features this bird demonstrates. 

The specimen has been sent to the San Diego Natural History Museum to be prepared and definitively identified.  Its final deposition has not been determined. 

24 August 2013, photo by Thomas Knapp

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