Elliot's Storm-Petrel
Oceanites gracilis
Common small storm-petrel of the northern Humboldt Current (can be seen from shore in northern Chile) and Galapagos Islands (where often follows boats, pattering in the wake with long legs dangling). Flight rather weak and fluttery, unlike strong deep wingbeats of Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel, which also follows boats in Galapagos. The long legs and feet of Elliot’s project past tip of tail, unlike Wedge-rumped. Plumage similar to the slightly larger Wilson’s Storm-Petrel (but note white belly of Elliot's), and are often not safely distinguished at sea.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Oceanites gracilis
- Authority
- (Elliot, DG, 1859)
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Oceanitidae
- Genus
- Oceanites
Range and habitat
In spite of the frequent sightings of this species it is very poorly known. Despite considerable research, only one nest had ever been found prior to 2003, that being on the Isla Chungungo, off the coast of Chile. During a survey in 2002, about eleven nests were found in three crevices on this island, but it was also being used by nesting Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) and there seemed to be very few suitable sites for the petrels to nest. Another possible breeding site may be inland in the Atacama Desert; a mummified chick, verified by DNA analysis, has been found in a crevice here, and signs of former activities in various cavities, but no live bird has been seen despite searches at various times of the year. It seems likely that there are some breeding colonies in Peru, because the bird is quite common off the coast out at sea. The population around the Galápagos Islands seems to be a resident and likely to be breeding, but again, no nesting site is known. The feeding behaviour of the Galápagos subspecies is unusual amongst storm-petrels as it forages close to shore; all other storm-petrels are exclusively pelagic.
- Breeding range
- PO : Chungunga I. (Coquimbo, c Chile) at least; probably also Galápagos
- Non-breeding range
- Humboldt Current from Ecuador to c Chile and Galápagos
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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