Petrel

Petrel, name for seabirds of the tubenosed-bird order Procellariformes, particularly the typical petrels and shearwaters of the families Procellariidae and Hydrobatidae. All have webbed feet and hooked bills, with nostrils opening through horny tubes on the upper mandible. They swim and fly expertly, feeding far from the shore on fish, squid, and offal. Normally they go ashore only to breed.