The RSPB: Storm petrel

Storm petrel

Listen

Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player.

Latin name

Hydrobates pelagicus

Family

Petrels and shearwaters (Hydrobatidae)

Overview

A little bigger than a sparrow it appears all black with a white rump. Its tail is not forked, unlike Leach's petrel. In flight it flutters over the water, feeding with its wings held up in a 'V' with feet pattering across the waves. At sea it often feeds in flocks and will follow in the wake of ships, especially trawlers.

Where to see them

Breeds largely on islands on the west coast of the UK, and on the Northern Isles. Only comes to shore to breed, and then at night. Best looked for by seawatching in spring and autumn from a westerly headland with onshore gales.

When to see them

Present at and around the breeding colonies from May to September. Migrants best looked for in September and October as they journey south to waters off South Africa.

What they eat

Fish, plankton and crustaceans

Estimated numbers

Europe	UK breeding*	UK wintering*	UK passage*
-	25,650 pairs	-	-

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)