Birds and wildlife

Storm Petrel

Hydrobates pelagicusGroup: Petrels and shearwatersUK Conservation status:Amber

How to identify

A little bigger than a sparrow, the Storm Petrel appears all black with a white rump. Its tail is not forked, unlike the 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.

Call

Storm Petrel

Dougie Preston / xeno-canto

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Where best to see them

Key facts