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

Other Birds

Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner

Rufous-rumped Foliage-gleaner

Neophilydor erythrocercum

A medium-sized bird, brownish above and pale buff below, with a bright rufous rump and tail and a distinctive buffy line behind the eye. Found in tall rainforest, where it occurs mainly in the midstory and canopy, but occasionally in the understory. Will follow mixed species flocks at all levels. Feeds on insects and forages actively, often investigating dead leaf clusters and other accumulations of detritus. Song is a short, weak series of squeaking notes that fades away; call is a hard doubled note. Most similar to Rufous-tailed Foliage-gleaner but somewhat larger and more likely to occur at lower levels in the forest; both tail and rump are rufous in Rufous-rumped.

Olive Sunbird

Olive Sunbird

Cyanomitra olivacea

Large, dark, olive-green sunbird with a long, down-curved bill. Can show yellow tufts on the shoulders, though these are usually hidden. Found in forest and adjacent gardens and lush scrub. Usually in the understory. Less social than other sunbirds, and often seen alone. Most distinctive vocalization is a pretty, up-and-down series of clear notes. Mouse-colored Sunbird is similar, but Olive Sunbird is more olive-green than gray.

Fulvous Shrike-Tanager

Fulvous Shrike-Tanager

Lanio fulvus

This tanager inhabits lowland and foothill rainforest and is almost always encountered with large mixed-species flocks. Male is burnt-orange with black hood and wings: somewhat reminiscent of an oriole. Female is drab, confusing, and rather variable, but she is usually darker tawny or ochraceous on the belly and rump compared to females of similar species; also note hooked bill. Quite vocal, often giving a repeated “cheer” and an abrupt rattle.

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