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MarineCavity nestSmall · 38 g
ID tip
Grey-backed storm petrel is a small bird, 21-44 g in weight with a 39–40 cm wingspan. Like others in its family it is dark grey overall with a black head and belly, but it can be distinguished from other storm-petrels in its range by its light grey rump compared to the white rump on others. The Grey-backed petrel has a pale back, black legs, a square tail and a white belly.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Grey-backed Storm Petrel
One bar for each month. Filled bars are the 11 months with records; pale bars are months with none. The wide bar is December, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Grey-backed Storm Petrel
The map shades 6 countries with regular records. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
About the Grey-backed Storm Petrel
The grey-backed storm petrel is a species of seabird in the austral storm petrel family Oceanitidae. It is monotypic within the genus Garrodia. It is found in Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Chile, Falkland Islands, French Southern Territories, New Zealand, Saint Helena, South Africa, and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Its natural habitat is open seas. It is highly attracted to bright lights, especially in conditions of low visibility.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Black-bellied Storm PetrelFregetta tropicaThey are usually black with a white band over the rump and white under the wings and on the flanks.
New Zealand Storm PetrelFregetta maorianaThe New Zealand storm petrel is a small seabird, dark brown/black above, except for its white rump.
White-bellied Storm PetrelFregetta grallariaThe species is characterised on colour patterns, the condition of the nasal tubes, tail shape, structure of claws, and proportions of the leg bones.
Side by side: Grey-backed Storm Petrel vs White-faced Storm Petrel · Black-bellied Storm Petrel vs Grey-backed Storm Petrel
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