About the European Storm Petrel
The European storm petrel, also known as British storm petrel, or just storm petrel, is a species of seabird in the northern storm petrel family, Hydrobatidae. The small, square-tailed bird is entirely black except for a broad, white rump and a white band on the under wings, and it has a fluttering, bat-like flight. The large majority of the population breeds on islands off the northern coasts of Europe, with the greatest numbers in the Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland. The Mediterranean population is a separate subspecies whose strongholds are Filfla Island (Malta), Sicily, and the Balearic Islands. This subspecies is indiscernible at sea from its Atlantic relatives.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The storm petrel is a small bird, 14–18 cm (5.5–7.1 in) in length with a 36–39 cm (14–15 in) wingspan. It weighs 20–38 g (0.71–1.34 oz), with an average of 28 g (0.99 oz). It is square-tailed and has all-black plumage except for a snow-white rump that extends to the sides of the tail base and a broad white band on the under wings. Juveniles in fresh plumage can also show a narrow white bar on the upper wing. The plumage becomes dark brown rather than black as it becomes worn. Voice: In its display flight, the storm petrel gives a call consisting of eight or more repetitions of a fast ter-CHICK sounds ending in a trill (rapid alternation of notes). This chattering, staccato call is highly variable in pitch, stress, and length. Both sexes make the call, which is used as an advertisement for a mate, for pair recognition, and in the nuptial flight.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, Netherlands, Germany, Israel, Algeria, Mozambique, Libya, Czechia, Croatia.
When to see it
Peak activity in August · a summer visitor species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Black Storm PetrelHydrobates melaniaThe black storm petrel is a small seabird of the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae.
Ashy Storm PetrelHydrobates homochroaThe ashy storm petrel is a small, scarce seabird of the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae.
Monteiro's Storm PetrelHydrobates monteiroiMonteiro's storm petrel is a seabird species from the storm petrel family, Hydrobatidae.
Learn the European Storm Petrel for real
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