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Petrels
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Petrels are a family of seabirds known for covering large distances across open oceanic waters.
While we don’t know what species of petrels currently nest here on Rarotonga, historical records from 1895 show that one species – the Herald Petrel locally known as Kōputu – were providing local hunters with food and sport. The Herald Petrel today, can still be seen circling the peaks of our inland mountain areas in courtship behaviour before heading out to sea where they spend majority of their time. The remainder petrel species are nocturnal, and therefore less active during the day, and more active at night.

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