Black Storm-Petrel
NameBlack Storm-Petrel
Common NameBlack Storm-Petrel
Scientific NameHydrobates melania
FamilyHydrobatidae
Wingspan (cm)48.5
Length (cm)23.5
Weight (g)50
Plumage DetailsUniformly sooty black to dark brownish-black plumage over its entire body. The bill and legs are also dark, and the tail is deeply forked, though it can appear less so when worn.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations at breeding colonies include various chirps, squeaks, and purring sounds, often given at night. At sea, they are generally silent.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds on islands off Baja California and southern California, including the Channel Islands. After breeding, it disperses south along the Pacific coast, reaching as far as Ecuador and Peru.
Identifying FeaturesEntirely dark plumage, Deeply forked tail (can appear square-tipped when worn), Long legs extending beyond the tail in flight, Buoyant, erratic flight pattern
Description
The Black Storm-Petrel is a small, entirely dark seabird found in the eastern Pacific Ocean. It exhibits a distinctive bounding and erratic flight pattern over the open ocean, often pattering its feet on the water's surface while foraging. This species breeds colonially on offshore islands and coastal cliffs.
