Leach's Storm-Petrel
NameLeach's Storm-Petrel
Common NameLeach's Storm-Petrel
Scientific NameHydrobates leucorhous
FamilyHydrobatidae
Wingspan (cm)47
Length (cm)19.5
Weight (g)45
Plumage DetailsPredominantly sooty brown to black plumage, with a distinctive forked tail. Many individuals display a prominent white rump patch, though this can be variable or absent in some populations. A pale diagonal bar is often visible on the upperwing.
Vocalization / CallVocalizations are primarily heard at night on breeding grounds, consisting of a series of chattering, purring, and gurgling calls, often described as a 'chuckle' followed by a 'whirring' sound.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusvulnerable
Geographic RangeBreeds in the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans, including islands off the coasts of North America, Europe, and Asia. During the non-breeding season, they migrate to tropical and subtropical waters across the Atlantic and Pacific.
Identifying Featuressmall size, dark plumage, forked tail, white rump patch (variable), erratic, bounding flight, pale diagonal bar on upperwing
Description
The Leach's Storm-Petrel is a small, dark seabird known for its erratic, bounding flight over open ocean waters. It spends most of its life at sea, only coming to land to breed in colonies on remote islands or coastal areas. This species is characterized by its dark plumage, forked tail, and often a white rump patch.
