Previously, two separate populations were considered conspecific, one occurring in the south Pacific, sometimes seen in Hawaii; the other occurring in the south Atlantic, nesting off Brazil, with regular sightings in the Gulf Stream off the southeastern United States.

The little-known Pacific birds were then split and determined distinct as the Herald petrel, Pterodroma heraldica.

It uses oceanic islands and atolls, nesting on cliff ledges, ridges or rocky slopes.

On some islands, nesting birds are threatened by feral cats and rats.

The specific name is after Vittorio Arminjon, captain of the ship during the voyage in which the specimen was collected.