Wilson's Storm-petrel

Wilson's Storm-petrel is a small bird, 16-18.5 cm in length with a 38-42 cm wingspan. It is slightly larger than the European Storm-petrel. It is essentially dark brown in all plumages, except for white rump. It differs from the that species by its pale bar on the upper wing, plain underwings and longer legs.

The Wilson's Storm-petrel is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

Wilson's Storm-petrel is a small bird, 16-18.5 cm in length with a 38-42 cm wingspan. It is slightly larger than the European Storm-petrel. It is essentially dark brown in all plumages, except for white rump. It differs from the that species by its pale bar on the upper wing, plain underwings and longer legs. This species breeds on the Antarctic coastlines and nearby islands such as the South Shetland Islands. More

exception of the Wilson's Storm-petrel) All but two of the Hydrobatinae are mostly dark in colour with varying amounts of white on the rump. Two species have different plumage entirely, the Hornby's Storm-petrel which has white undersides and facial markings, and the Fork-tailed Storm-petrel which has pale grey plumage. This is a notoriously difficult group to identify at sea. More

Ian Davis captured this view of Wilson's Storm-petrel which shows the underside as it banks toward the boat. Notice that the wings are dark underneath and that the white rump wraps on either side of the tail. Legs extend beyond tail. Photographed on the BBC 2007 June 30 pelagic. The close approach of this Storm-petrel and the thousands that swarm in our waters makes photographs like this possible. Thanks for sharing. More

summers, Wilson's storm-petrels breeding around Antarctica have accelerated the development of the egg and chick: the time from laying to fledging is 91 days (the shortest period for any tubenose). Birds farther north, though slightly smaller, take longer, perhaps because the food supply is less concentrated than it is off the southern continent. Most nests are hidden in crevices among rocks or coarse scree. More

Wilson's Storm-petrel belongs to this group and is the only one found in our waters. Elliot's Storm-petrel is found off the coast of South America. Genus Pelagodroma The only member of this genus is the White-faced Storm-petrel, a bird that earns a high rank in the list of birds most wanted by North American bird listers. Has yellow toe webs. Genus Oceanodroma Nine or ten species most of which breed in the Northern Hemisphere. More

The Wilson's Storm-petrel breeds on the Antarctic coastlines and nearby islands such as the South Shetland Islands. It nests in colonies close to the sea in rock crevices or small burrows in soft earth and lays a single white egg. This storm-petrel is strictly nocturnal at the breeding sites to avoid predation by gulls and skuas, and will even avoid coming to land on clear moonlit nights. Like most petrels, its walking ability is limited to a short shuffle to the burrow. More

storm-petrel and Wilson's storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) have been described. The spectacular performances of the first species take place by day, and this species is evidently adapted to nighttime feeding. In all species studied the sexes call differently. A variety of churring or whirring sounds is heard from burrows of northern species such as the European storm-petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus). More

The Wilson's Storm-petrel spends the rest of the year at sea, and moves into the northern oceans in the southern hemisphere's winter. It is much more common in the north Atlantic than the Pacific. It is strictly pelagic outside the breeding season, and this, together with its remote breeding sites, makes Wilson's Petrel a difficult bird to see from land. Only in severe storms might this species be pushed into headlands. More

Wilson's Storm-petrel in flightWilson's storm petrel Photo: Chris Clarke Vital Statistics - Scientific name: Oceanites oceanicus Physical description: Wilson's storm petrel is a small storm petrel with short, rounded wings and long legs projecting beyond the tail in flight. More

2,500 Wilson's Storm-Petrels at the northeastern edge of Georges Bank, some 220 km south of Cape Sable. At least 2,000 birds were counted off Yarmouth from MV Bluenose on 26 September 1975 (D.W. Finch). Description Length:18-19 cm. All plumages: The basic plumage pattern is the same as in our other two storm-petrels, but the white rump patch is larger than in Leach's Storm-Petrel and extends further onto the flanks. The tail is not notched and the feet protrude beyond it. More

Videos and images Wilson's storm-petrel resting on a rock Wilson's storm-petrel resting on a rock Species related by - * Family group * Habitat * Conservation status * * View image slideshow * Link to this image * Email to a friend * More

Wilson's Storm-petrel in the warm blue waters of the Gulf Stream off North Carolina, USA. Notice the yellow webs to the feet. Photographed in May by Angus Wilson More

Wilson's Storm-Petrels - A few days were so calm that our slick really did not attract or hold any Wilson's, instead, we found groups of Storm-Petrels sitting on the water. This is a group that we flushed, though on the later trips, we did have some following behind the boat for participants to study. More