Corellidae
The Corellidae are a family of seabirds in the order Procellariiformes. This family contains a single extant genus, Corella, consisting of three species of small petrels that are found throughout the Southern Ocean. The genus is closely related to the Procellariidae, the shearwaters, and the Diomedeidae, the albatrosses.
Common Names
The species in this family are known as "corellas" and are also often referred to as "small petrels."
Characteristics
Corellas are small, slender seabirds with a wingspan of about 40–60 cm. They have long, pointed wings, a short tail, and a long, slender bill. The bill is hooked at the tip, which helps them to catch their prey, which consists mostly of squid and fish. The plumage of corellas is usually dark gray or brown, with a white underbelly. They are known for their strong, distinctive flight pattern.
Environments
Corellas are pelagic seabirds, meaning that they spend most of their lives at sea. They breed on remote islands in the Southern Ocean, where they nest in burrows. These burrows are often located in rocky areas or among dense vegetation. They are known for their ability to travel vast distances, often flying for weeks at a time without landing.
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