On November 5th, 2025, during one of the daily Whale Watching tours operated by Azores Whale Watching TERRA AZUL, scientists and visitors onboard were lucky to witness an extraordinary rare sighting: two to three adult specimens of the elusive and enigmatic Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma Hasitata), a globally Endangered species whose primary breeding grounds are thousands of miles away.
(TRAVPR.COM) PORTUGAL - November 17th, 2025 - Endangered “Little Devil” Spotted off São Miguel in Azores Islands!
An extraordinary event that ruffled the feathers of the scientific community!
Vila Franca do Campo, 17th of November 2025 - Announcement
On November 5th, 2025, during one of the daily Whale Watching tours operated by Azores Whale Watching TERRA AZUL, scientists and visitors onboard were lucky to witness an extraordinary rare sighting: two to three adult specimens of the elusive and enigmatic Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma Hasitata), a globally Endangered species whose primary breeding grounds are thousands of miles away.
TERRA AZUL’s Related Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/azoreswhalewatching/posts/pfbid02n12GD82P3hjV8YUh8EGazLgwBwi6N4gUNvHuYjmsJcVeECqjRXYhEuhFkmZBdv4Xl
While this magnificent seabird, known locally as the 'Diablotin' (little devil) for its nocturnal calls, had been spotted near other distant islands in the Azores archipelago, this marks the first officially recorded sighting of the species off São Miguel. This momentous discovery near the Islet of Vila Franca do Campo underscores the critical role of the Azores Islands as an ecological crossroads, and highlights the priceless value of everyday observations.
A Sighting of Scientific Significance
The Black-capped Petrel’s main breeding grounds are confined to the mountains of Hispaniola, thousands of kilometers away in the Caribbean. Their usual foraging grounds are concentrated in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream off the southeastern USA. A sighting of this species in the Azorean waters is always a remarkable encounter, suggesting possible vagrancy. A deviation from its typical marine range that represents valuable information towards understanding the species' global distribution and emphasizes the value of opportunistic data.
The first to spot and identify the birds was Mayara Gomes da Silva Costa, M.Sc. in Applied Marine Biology and Wildlife Guide at TERRA AZUL. "This is a different kind of bird." she shared, still excited. "It has a distinctive black and white pattern across its wings! For sure something unusual, even from a distance, to see two or three together was a stroke of luck!"
Her quick identification was followed by Inês Mota Ferreira, TERRA AZUL's Head Wildlife Guide also M.Sc. in Applied Marine Biology, who captured the vital photographic evidence. "Having the camera ready was the key to capture this moment, later I realized it was a unique scientific record" Inês noted. "This photo provides concrete proof that helps researchers validate the observation and expand our knowledge of their movements. Proving once again that opportunistic data from wildlife tours can be very helpful for research "
The sighting was then reported to, and confirmed by Biologists Marc Tolosa, Mateo Aleixos and Valeria Idárraga, field experts in local seabird monitoring from the platform Procellar ID - Açores, stating that "this confirmed record of Pterodroma Hasitata off São Miguel is immensely important. While some experts suggest that the Azores Islands may serve as an important feeding hotspot for gadfly petrels in autumn, documenting their presence in the Region reinforces these ideas. It also helps build a clearer picture of the distribution of an endangered species that is naturally rare along its migration route."
The Power of Citizen Science
This exciting discovery highlights the growing importance of citizen science — the collaboration between the public and professional scientists. When tour operators, fishermen, sailors, and nature enthusiasts consistently record timely observations, they become essential partners in data collection.
Accurate sightings like these are crucial for mapping migration patterns and understanding climate changes. Shifts in population dynamics, such as vagrancy or birds being blown off course, can result from severe weather or altered ocean currents—both significant indicators of global climatic shifts. As ocean conditions evolve, so do the feeding grounds and migratory routes of pelagic seabirds. Monitoring these changes in species distribution, such as the Black-capped Petrel’s presence in the Azores Islands, provides real-time data insight into how ecosystems respond to global warming. Each observation adds an essential piece to the puzzle of global conservation efforts.
The dedication of professional guides and wildlife enthusiasts working together with science is invaluable. It’s a compelling reminder that everyone, armed with a keen eye and a camera, can contribute meaningfully to the conservation of our planet's most threatened species.
About the Stars of this Story
The Black-capped Petrel (Pterodroma Hasitata)
Often called the 'Diablotin', this medium-sized petrel is one of the Gadfly Petrels known for their agile, fast, and erratic flight close to the wave tops. It has a distinctive dark, or black, cap that contrasts with its white nape, throat, and underparts, and an upper plumage that forms a dark 'M' shape across its wings and back. Classified as Endangered (IUCN 3.1), its breeding is restricted to a few sites on Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic), making every detail about its at-sea distribution critical for its survival.
Azores Whale Watching & Wildlife Tours TERRA AZUL
TERRA AZUL is a marine eco-tour operator since 2001, specialized in Whale Watching and Wildlife Tours, operating daily at the Marina of Vila Franca do Campo in São Miguel - Azores Islands, in Portugal. Based on Scientific Education, Research Contribution, and Environmental Conservation, all tours are guided by Biologists or Naturalists, where field Imagery and Data is collected to contribute towards local and international wildlife research & conservation projects, and where visitors are welcomed to participate. With deep roots in local culture, TERRA AZUL applies the authentic Azorean techniques used for whaling until 1984, now to the service of culture and education in leisure, and for an even better chance to observe marine life. Find out more at azoreswhalewatch.com.
Procellar ID
A project dedicated to monitoring seabird populations across the Azores archipelago, Procellar ID works with local partners and citizen scientists to gather comprehensive data on the ecology and distribution of shearwaters, petrels, and other seabird species. By involving the local community with scientific data collection, the project aims to support conservation efforts while highlighting the vital importance of the Azores Islands for seabirds. Find out more at instagram.com/procellarid.azores.
Azores Islands Birdwatching
This Portuguese archipelago is a renowned biodiversity hotspot and a geological marvel located in the middle of the North Atlantic. Its strategic position makes it a spectacular stopover and vagrant trap for birds migrating between Europe/Africa and North America. The islands are home to unique endemic species, like the Azores Bullfinch, and serve as crucial nesting grounds for large colonies of seabirds like the Cory's Shearwater. Birdwatching here, especially for rare vagrants, is a world-class experience.
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