European Storm-PetrelHydrobates pelagicusTiny black seabird with rounded tail tip, white rump, and white stripe on underside of wing. Like many other storm-petrels, can be fairly common but mainly offshore and rarely seen; breeds on rocky islands where it visits colonies at night. Feeds out at sea, sometimes following ships and fluttering fast and low in the wake (like a bumblebee). In direct comparison, appears about half the size of Leach’s Storm-Petrel, which has much stronger, bounding flight. Winters at sea in South Atlantic.Hydrobatidae bird family
Order Hydrobatiformes · 4 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
European Storm-PetrelHydrobates pelagicusTiny black seabird with rounded tail tip, white rump, and white stripe on underside of wing. Like many other storm-petrels, can be fairly common but mainly offshore and rarely seen; breeds on rocky islands where it visits colonies at night. Feeds out at sea, sometimes following ships and fluttering fast and low in the wake (like a bumblebee). In direct comparison, appears about half the size of Leach’s Storm-Petrel, which has much stronger, bounding flight. Winters at sea in South Atlantic.
Fork-tailed Storm-PetrelHydrobates furcatusUnique among storm-petrels in having an entirely silvery-gray plumage. Aside from overall plumage color, look for contrasting dark underwings, dark mask around eye, and deeply forked tail. Breeds on offshore islands across the North Pacific, from Japan to California. Fairly common over cool water, often not far from shore. Found singly or in large flocks, often mixed with other storm-petrels.
Markham's Storm-PetrelHydrobates markhamiSmall dark seabird of Humboldt Current, although relatively large for a storm-petrel; not seen from shore, but breeds inland in Atacama Desert where it visits colonies at night to avoid predators. Favors warmer waters beyond cooler inshore zone. Plumage all dark except for bold pale bands on upperwing; also note deeply forked tail. Told from similar size Black Storm-Petrel (which favors cooler inshore waters) by bolder pale wing bands, shallower wingbeats, and smaller feet (big feet of Black Storm-Petrel often hang down).Markham's Storm-PetrelHydrobates markhamiSmall dark seabird of Humboldt Current, although relatively large for a storm-petrel; not seen from shore, but breeds inland in Atacama Desert where it visits colonies at night to avoid predators. Favors warmer waters beyond cooler inshore zone. Plumage all dark except for bold pale bands on upperwing; also note deeply forked tail. Told from similar size Black Storm-Petrel (which favors cooler inshore waters) by bolder pale wing bands, shallower wingbeats, and smaller feet (big feet of Black Storm-Petrel often hang down).