A small dark seabird that patters across the water surface chasing prey. Among the most abundant seabirds in the world.

Native status: Native to North America

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 30–110 cm (12–43 in); wingspan 80–350 cm
Weight200–10,000 g
LifespanWild 25–60+ years
OrderProcellariiformes
FamilyOceanitidae

§ Encyclopedia

Wilson's storm petrel, also known as Wilson's petrel, is a small seabird of the austral storm petrel family Oceanitidae. It is one of the most abundant bird species in the world and has a circumpolar distribution mainly in the seas of the southern hemisphere but extending northwards during the summer of the northern hemisphere. The world population was estimated in 2022 as stable at 8–20 million birds. In 2010 it had been estimated at 12–30 million. A 1998 book had estimated more than 50 million pairs. The name commemorates the Scottish-American ornithologist Alexander Wilson. The genus name Oceanites refers to the mythical Oceanids, the three thousand daughters of Tethys. The species name is from Latin oceanus, "ocean".

Source: Wikipedia — Wilson's storm petrel Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Tiny, sooty-black seabird with a bold white rump, a square tail, and long legs whose yellow-webbed feet trail past the tail tip in flight; flutters low like a swallow.

Similar species. Leach's Storm-Petrel has a forked tail, a divided rump, and bounding flight with feet that do not project; Wilson's patters with trailing feet and a square tail.

Voice. Soft peeping at breeding burrows; silent at sea.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Fish, squid, crustaceans caught at sea surface.

Behavior. Often cited as one of the most abundant birds on Earth; this tiny seabird breeds in Antarctica and 'walks' on the sea surface, pattering its feet while fluttering to pick plankton.

§ Range

Pelagic; visits North American waters in summer

§ Habitat

Open Atlantic Ocean

§ Threats

Marine plastic, oil spills, climate change.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the wilson's storm-petrel is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Reduce ocean plastic. Support marine conservation.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
  • National Audubon Society
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List