grey-faced petrel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical/Ornithological
Quick answer
What does “grey-faced petrel” mean?
A medium-sized seabird of the Procellariidae family, with distinctive greyish plumage on its face and head.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medium-sized seabird of the Procellariidae family, with distinctive greyish plumage on its face and head.
A species of petrel (Pterodroma gouldi or macroptera, taxonomy debated) endemic to New Zealand and nearby islands, nesting in burrows and foraging over pelagic waters.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'grey-faced' (UK) vs. 'gray-faced' (US) is the primary orthographic difference. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
None beyond the technical ornithological reference. May evoke conservation concerns for informed speakers.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, used only in ornithological, conservation, or regional (NZ) contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “grey-faced petrel” in a Sentence
The grey-faced petrel nests [in burrows on offshore islands].Researchers are studying [the foraging behaviour] of the grey-faced petrel.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grey-faced petrel” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The grey-faced petrel survey is underway.
- We documented grey-faced petrel behaviour.
American English
- The gray-faced petrel population is stable.
- A gray-faced petrel conservation program was initiated.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in ornithology, ecology, and conservation biology papers. e.g., 'The breeding success of the grey-faced petrel is impacted by invasive predators.'
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of New Zealand coastal communities or birdwatching circles.
Technical
The primary context. Used in field guides, species inventories, and conservation plans.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grey-faced petrel”
- Misspelling as 'gray-faced petrel' in UK contexts or 'grey-faced petrel' in strict US academic texts.
- Confusing it with other similar petrel species like the white-headed petrel.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, reflecting British/Commonwealth ('grey') and American ('gray') spelling conventions. Scientific literature may use either depending on the journal's style.
No. They are pelagic birds, spending most of their life at sea, and only come to land at night to nest on remote, predator-free islands, making them difficult to observe.
The primary threats are introduced predators (like rats, stoats, and cats) at their breeding colonies, habitat degradation, and potentially bycatch in fisheries.
There is ongoing taxonomic debate. Many authorities now consider the grey-faced petrel (Pterodroma gouldi) of New Zealand and the great-winged petrel (P. macroptera) of the Southern Ocean to be separate species, but they were historically lumped together.
A medium-sized seabird of the Procellariidae family, with distinctive greyish plumage on its face and head.
Grey-faced petrel is usually technical/ornithological in register.
Grey-faced petrel: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪ ˌfeɪst ˈpɛtr(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡreɪ ˌfeɪst ˈpɛtrəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PETREL flying over the GREY sea, its FACE matching the colour of the waves.
Practice
Quiz
In which region is the grey-faced petrel primarily found?