Cook's petrel (Pterodroma cookii)

Punta Lomas, Arequipa, Peru. Jul 5, 2025

comments (5)

Thibaud Aronson

Lion

If you ask hardcore pelagic birders, a lot of them will tell you that Pterodromas, or gadfly petrels, are the royalty of seabirds and crowning jewels of any pelagic outing. It's hard to explain, but they're incredibly elegant birds, rare in most places and often fiendishly hard to photograph, as they tend not to check out chumming boats the way other pelagics do, plus the stronger the winds the more likely they are to be seen, but of course that means difficult photography conditions as you're fighting against the motion of the waves!
This NZ breeder is not common in Peruvian waters, but we had an incredible day with them, with half or dozen birds seen. This was the only one that came close, and my camera's subject tracking was what saved me, and allowed me to get this single good shot as it zoomed past us at breakneck speed! Posted 2 months ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  This shot would be ridiculously good even in easy conditions. Hats off! Posted one month ago
2. 1. Thibaud Aronson
    
    Lion
    
    Thanks Ferdy! Posted one month ago

NattyOne

Lion

Absolutely excellent Thibaud, a real, rarity and beauty!! Well done!! Posted one month ago
1. Thibaud Aronson
  
  Lion
  
  Thank you!! Posted one month ago

The Cook's Petrel

Cook's petrel, or the tītī or blue-footed petrel, is a Procellariform seabird. It is a member of the gadfly petrels and part of the subgenus "Cookilaria" Bonaparte, 1856, which includes the very similar Stejneger's petrel.

Info 1 0

Similar species: Petrels And Albatrosses

Species identified by Thibaud Aronson

By Thibaud Aronson

Uploaded Jul 7, 2025. Captured Jul 5, 2025 12:13 in C5M3+PFM, Puerto De Lomas 04570, Peru.

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Canon EOS R6
f/11.0
1/3200s
ISO2500
363mm

Captured in the winter. More winter photos.