A New Zealand based expedition cruise line is claiming it has discovered a new species of seabird.
Heritage Expeditions says the previously unknown bird species was spotted during a sailing 250 nautical miles south of the Solomon Islands.
It has dubbed the bird the ‘Heritage Lava Petrel.’
It is described as having ‘prominent white markings on both its upper and underwing, dark chocolate brown plumage and a massive bill.’
The bird was discovered by ornithologists Chris Collins, Lisle Gwynn and Sav Saville, working as experts aboard the Heritage ship Spirit of Enderby.
Cruise passengers also spotted the bird which the line says is ‘quite unlike anything in ornithological literature.’
The line offers a number of sailings popular with birdwatchers and it is not the first tie it claims to have spotted a new species.
The New Caledonian storm petrel was first discovered during a Heritage cruise to the Western Pacific isles.
