Where to see them: Galapagos petrels usually forage around the east and north of the Archipelago. During the breeding season they can be found in the highlands of Santa Cruz, Floreana, Santiago, San Cristobal and Isabela islands, between 300 and 900 metres above sea level.

When to see them: They can be seen foraging offshore all year round. Their breeding season runs from late April to October.

The natural predators of Galapagos petrels are the Galapagos hawk and short-eared owl, which usually take adult birds. They are also threatened by a number of introduced species. Invasive rats predate on the eggs and chicks, and feral dogs, cats and pigs will also take adults. They face nest site damage from trampling and over-grazing by domestic livestock and clearance of vegetation for agriculture. In addition, like many species in Galapagos, they are at risk from El Niño events which can affect their nesting success and food supply. It is thought that these threats have caused the petrel population to fall by up to 80% since the 1980s. They are also likely to be threatened by marine plastic pollution.

• Ongoing control of invasive species benefits the petrels and monitoring of nests is done by the Galapagos National Park. A survey on Santa Cruz in 2016 found that petrels had returned to nesting sites that they had not been seen at for decades, thanks to control of introduced species. It is estimated that there are now 8,500 pairs.  
• We are working with partners to restore the habitat of Floreana, which will benefit the petrel population on the island.