- Procellariiformes
- Oceanitidae
New Caledonian Storm-Petrel Fregetta lineata
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Identification
Only formally described in 2022, this enigmatic little seabird has been documented around in the Coral Sea, especially around New Caledonia, but specimens from the Marquesas, Samoa, and northeastern Australia suggest that it likely ranges far afield when not breeding. Very similar in appearance to New Zealand Storm Petrel; note New Caledonian has much less white in the underwing, only going up to the “shoulder”, and overall denser streaking on the underparts, especially on the sides. On average, New Caledonian also looks lankier, appearing somewhat longer-necked, longer-tailed, and longer-winged.