Oceanites oceanicus
The Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) is a diminutive and highly pelagic seabird, predominantly sooty black with a prominent white rump and underparts on its flanks, measuring approximately 16-19 cm (6.3-7.5 in) in length with a wingspan of 38-42 cm (15-16.5 in) and weighing 30-40 g (1.1-1.4 oz). Its most distinctive field marks are its square-tipped tail, a pale diagonal bar visible on its upperwing coverts, and crucially, its unique black feet with bright yellow webbing, which are...
This highly pelagic species thrives in the open ocean environments of both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres, breeding primarily on rocky, ice-free areas of Antarctic and subantarctic islands.
Primarily small crustaceans such as krill and copepods, supplemented by small fish, squid larvae, and lipid-rich offal scavenged from ships or marine mammals.
Wilson's Storm Petrels are largely diurnal at sea, often congregating in large, active flocks, but become strictly nocturnal at their breeding colonies to avoid predation. Their characteristic foraging strategy involves 'walking' or 'dancing' on the water's surface, hovering with rapid wing beats...
The Wilson's Storm Petrel boasts the most extensive breeding and wintering range of any seabird. Its breeding grounds are concentrated around the Antarctic continent and numerous subantarctic islands, including the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia, South Sandwich Islands, South Orkney Islands, ...
Least Concern
- The Wilson's Storm Petrel undertakes one of the longest migratory journeys of any bird relative to its body size, traveling from the Antarctic to the Northern Hemisphere and back annually. - It is often referred to as 'Mother Carey's Chicken,' a traditional name used by sailors for storm-petrel...