Subspecies: None, only Procellaria conspicillata (Gould, 1844) is presented.
Consider that despite the taxon being originally described as a species, it was long considered a subspecies of Procellaria aequinoctialis (Synonym: Procellaria aequinoctialis conspicillata). However, Ryan (1998) recommended that it be considered a species again based on vocal differences (Brooke, 2004 in Chavez et al., 2014) and this recommendation was supported by genetic studies (Ryan, unpublished data).

Description: Medium-sized and with a similar appearance, it can only be confused with the Black Petrel (Procellaria westlandica) and the White-chinned Petrel (Procellaria aequinoctialis), the latter especially since there are individuals with white spots on the face. The Spectacled Petrel has a medium size and is easily distinguishable by the presence of white patches around the eyes (Onley and Scofield, 2007 in Chavez et al., 2014). Its overall coloration is brown-blackish, sharply contrasted by the white on the head, which helps with identification even from a distance. These white formations often resemble “spectacles,” though some individuals show minimal variations. The legs are black, and the iris is dark brown. Completing its beautiful design is a black and yellowish bill with the typical design of the Procellaria genus.

Sexual Dimorphism: None.

Habitat: The species is strictly oceanic, reaching the archipelago only for nesting. The average distance from the Argentine coast of sightings of this species is 144.5 nautical miles +/- 60.9 miles, with the closest record to the Argentine coast so far being from 15/03/2015 (Jellyfish, pers. comm.).

Distribution: Tristan da Cunha Archipelago, reaching the coasts of Brazil where it is very abundant (Colobuono and Vooren, 2007), Argentina, and Uruguay (usually over the continental slope). To the east, its distribution reaches the coasts of Namibia and South Africa. It has been confirmed through the use of satellite transmitters that most individuals remain between 25–40°S in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean (Bugoni et al., 2009).

Behavior: It tends to follow fishing vessels (Chavez et al., 2014).

Nesting: The species nests exclusively on Inaccessible Island (37°17"S, 12°45"W) (Rowan et al., 1951; Ryan, 1998 in Chavez et al., 2014), which is part of the British Tristan da Cunha archipelago, consisting of several islands (the largest, with the same name, and the uninhabited Inaccessible and Nightingale). These islands are the most remote from any other inhabited place on Earth, and as such, are listed in the Guinness World Records.

Author of this compilation: Diego Oscar

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