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[[File:Cape Petrel in flight.jpg|thumb|Cape Petrel in flight]] | [[File:Cape Petrel in flight.jpg|thumb|Cape Petrel in flight]] | ||
The '''Cape petrel''' (''Daption capense''), also called the '''Cape pigeon''', or '''Cape fulmar''', is a common seabird of the [[Southern Ocean]] from the family Procellariidae. It is the only member of the genus ''Daption'', and is allied to the fulmarine petrels, and the | The '''Cape petrel''' (''Daption capense''), also called the '''Cape pigeon''', or '''Cape fulmar''', is a common seabird of the [[Southern Ocean]] from the family Procellariidae. It is the only member of the genus ''Daption'', and is allied to the fulmarine petrels, and the giant petrels. They are extremely common seabirds with an estimated population of around 2 million. | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
The Cape petrel is the only known member of the genus ''Daption'' and is in turn a member of the family Procellariidae and order Procellariiformes. There appears to be a subgroup within the family consisting of the [[giant petrel]]s, the members of Fulmarus, the [[Antarctic petrel]], and the [[snow petrel]]. | The Cape petrel is the only known member of the genus ''Daption'' and is in turn a member of the family Procellariidae and order Procellariiformes. There appears to be a subgroup within the family consisting of the [[Southern giant petrel]]s, the members of Fulmarus, the [[Antarctic petrel]], and the [[snow petrel]]. | ||
''Daption'' is derived from Ancient Greek for "little devourer", and the Cape name is because of where the type specimen was collected. Finally, pintado is Spanish for "painted" for its plumage. One of their other names, Cape pigeon, is from their habit of pecking at the water for food. The word ''petrel'' is derived from St. Peter and the story of his walking on water. This is in reference to the petrel's habit of appearing to run on the water to take off. | ''Daption'' is derived from Ancient Greek for "little devourer", and the Cape name is because of where the type specimen was collected. Finally, pintado is Spanish for "painted" for its plumage. One of their other names, Cape pigeon, is from their habit of pecking at the water for food. The word ''petrel'' is derived from St. Peter and the story of his walking on water. This is in reference to the petrel's habit of appearing to run on the water to take off. | ||