Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
PROCELLARIIDAE Members: Bermuda Petrel 109
General Comments
The Bermuda Petrel is the rarest of the four Pterodroma petrels found somewhat regularly off the Atlantic coast of the United States, and nearly all records for the country are from the Gulf Stream waters off North Carolina. This species, which nests only on Bermuda, often goes by its former common name of Cahow. For over 200 years, it was thought to be possibly extinct, until rediscovered in Bermuda in 1935. Thanks to it being listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, intensive management, such as control of predators near the nesting burrows, has taken place; and the population is slowly rebounding, though total numbers are only in the low hundreds. The first state report was in 1983, but now, owing to several dozen pelagic trips taken annually between May and Sep, the species is seen nearly every year now. Nevertheless, it is a very rarely seen species and is always a red-letter bird.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
SZ
Global Rank
G1
Coastal Plain
Offshore visitor. Very rare, but now seen almost annually, though no records from 2010-2012. Occurs in the Gulf Stream, where all state records are from off Oregon and Hatteras inlets. At least 39 records, mid-May to late Aug. Records outside of those dates include one, off Oregon Inlet, 18 Apr 1983; one off Cape Hatteras, 24 Apr 2023; another (or different birds) off Hatteras, 8-9 May 2019; and one off Hatteras Inlet, 28 Sep 2024 -- seemingly the only record after Aug. Peak counts: 4, off Hatteras Inlet, 22 May 2025 (likely a record Atlantic Coast count); 2, off Hatteras Inlet, 27 May 2002.
Piedmont
No records.
Mountain
No records.
Finding Tips
As with all Pterodroma petrels, you need to get far offshore, taking organized pelagic trips out of Hatteras or Oregon inlets between late May and early Sep. This is a tougher find than Trindade and Fea's petrels, and it may take 10 or more such trips to see your first. Don't give up, but you have no control over finding one -- luck and a lot of good eyes on-board the boat have to be with you!