European Storm Petrel
Hydrobates pelagicus
Conservation Status
Least ConcernAves · Procellariiformes · Hydrobatidae
About
The European storm petrel, also known as British storm petrel, or just storm petrel, is a species of seabird in the northern storm petrel family, Hydrobatidae. The small, square-tailed bird is entirely black except for a broad, white rump and a white band on the under wings, and it has a fluttering, bat-like flight. The large majority of the population breeds on islands off the northern coasts of Europe, with the greatest numbers in the Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland. The Mediterranean population is a separate subspecies whose strongholds are Filfla Island (Malta), Sicily, and the Balearic Islands. This subspecies is indiscernible at sea from its Atlantic relatives.
Fun Fact
The European storm petrel was formerly defined as the only member of the genus Hydrobates, the remainder of the Hydrobatinae being placed in Oceanodroma, although the least storm petrel was sometimes separated as the sole member of Halocyptena.
Quick Facts
Habitat
To be updated
Diet
Eat offal and oily food, often located by smell, and will follow ships.
Lifespan
31 years
Threats
- Habitat Change
- Human Disturbance