White-vented Storm-Petrel

In spite of the frequent sightings of this species it is very poorly known; only one nest has ever been found. The feeding behaviour of the Galapagos subspecies is unusual amongst storm-petrels as it forages close to shore; all other storm-petrels are exclusively pelagic.

The White-vented Storm-Petrel is classified as Data Deficient (DD), inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction.

White-vented Storm-Petrel Oceanites gracilis possessed white at the base of any rectrix, and that species is easily distinguished by its small size and white belly. Here is a Band-rumped O. castro specimens from AMNH from 4 Apr 1891 at Wenman I., Galapagos. Note the broad black tip to the most visible white upper tail covert feather. We can see the tips of the longest uppertail coverts well on the mystery storm-petrel. More

White-vented Storm-petrels which are coastal feeders in the Galapagos Islands. Although storm-petrels are capable of swimming well and often form rafts on the water's surface they do not feed on the water. Instead feeding usually takes place on the wing, with birds hovering above or 'walking' on the surface (see morphology) and snatching small morsels. Rarely prey is obtained by making shallow dives under the surface. More

world, only around a dozen nests of the white-vented storm-petrel have ever been discovered. It was described in 1859 as the most slender of storm petrels and accordingly given ... More

world, only around a dozen nests of the white-vented storm-petrel have ever been discovered (2). It was described in 1859 as the most slender of storm petrels and accordingly given the specific name gracilis. It is predominately brown to dark grey in colour, tending to be darker on its upperparts and paler on its throat and chest. The square-ended tail is black, except for a white bar that merges with a white-tipped rump to form a conspicuous white crescent. More

White-vented Storm-petrel Oceanites gracilis = * Home Expand Log in Menu item Register Menu item Log out Menu item Change login details Menu item Why register? Expand UK & Ireland Menu item Birding sites More

The White-vented Storm-petrel (Oceanites gracilis) is a species of seabird in the storm-petrel family Hydrobatidae. The species is also known as Elliot's Storm-petrel. There are two subspecies, O. g. gracilis, which is found in the Humboldt Current off Peru and Chile, and O. g. galapagoensis, which is found in the waters around the Galapagos Islands. It is a sooty-black storm-petrel with a white rump. It has long legs which extend beyond the body in flight. More

White-vented Storm-Petrel Oceanites gracilis = Described by: Elliot (1859) Alternate common name(s): White-vented Storm Petrel, White-vented Storm-petrel, Elliot's Storm-petrel, Graceful Storm-petrel Old scientific name(s): None known by website authors Photographs Galapagos, Ecuador - Aug, 1998 More

* White-vented Storm-petrel, Oceanites gracilis * Grey-backed Storm-petrel, Garrodia nereis * White-faced Storm-petrel, Pelagodroma marina * Black-bellied Storm-petrel or Gould's Storm-Petrel, Fregatta tropica * White-bellied Storm-petrel, Fregatta grallaria More