Black-bellied Storm-Petrel
Fregetta tropica
Striking small seabird of cold subantarctic waters; some birds range farther north in winter (mainly May–August). Despite the name, its bold white belly is the most obvious feature that separates Black-bellied from slightly smaller Wilson’s Storm-Petrel. Most birds have a black stripe bisecting the white belly patch, but the stripe is often hard to see. Flight style often eye-catching; splashes belly down in the water and kicks its feet to change direction. Compare with the very similar White-bellied Storm-Petrel of subtropical waters, which occurs mainly to the north of Black-bellied’s range.
Identification
They are usually black with a white band over the rump and white under the wings and on the flanks. A broad black stripe runs down the center of the belly, but may be broken or absent altogether. They have long legs, so the feet can be seen beyond the tail in flight. The legs and feet are black.<p>They are silent mostly at sea. Noises can be heard from the breeding colonies; birds on the ground give a drawn-out shrill whistle.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Fregetta tropica
- Authority
- (Gould, 1844)
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Oceanitidae
- Genus
- Fregetta
Range and habitat
- Breeding range
- SO : circumpolar subantarctic islands of South Georgia, Antarctic Pen., Bouvetoya (sw of s Africa), Tristan da Cunha perhaps including Gough (sc Atlantic Ocean); Prince Edward, Crozet and Kerguelen (sw to se Indian Ocean), Bounty, Antipodes and Auckland is. (se and s of South I., New Zealand)
- Non-breeding range
- southern oceans mostly s of Equator to Antarctic Convergence
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
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