Leach's Storm-petrel
VulnerableHydrobates leucorhous
Visual Identification
Leach's Storm-petrel
Appearance
Leach's Storm-petrel is a small seabird with predominantly black plumage and a greyish-brown cast. Its most distinctive feature is a white rump patch that contrasts sharply with its dark body. The wings are long and narrow, with a pale bar visible in flight.
Both sexes look alike in size and appearance. Although they do not moult into an alternative plumage post-breeding, their feathers develop a browner, worn appearance. Juveniles closely resemble adults but may have slightly fresher-looking feathers.
Size
Length
18cm to 21cm
Wingspan
43cm to 48cm
Weight
35g to 50g
Colours
Males and females have similar plumage
Primary Colour
Black Grey
Secondary Colour
White
Beak Colour
Black
Leg Colour
Black
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Leach's Storm-petrels inhabit open oceans worldwide, breeding on remote islands in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. They nest in burrows or crevices on steep, grassy slopes or rocky cliffs.
During non-breeding seasons, they disperse widely across tropical and subtropical waters. They breed in coastal areas of Canada, the UK, and the United States.
In the US, Leach’s petrels breed in Alaska’s islands and off the Pacific Coast from Washington to California. In Canada, Newfoundland is home to the world’s largest breeding colony of Leach’s petrels.
Breeding in the UK is limited to five sites in the Western Isles, including the St Kilda archipelago, the Flannan Isles, and two islands in Shetland.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 100 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subarctic
Distribution Map
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Diet
Leach's Storm-petrels primarily feed on small fish, squid, octopus, jellyfish and zooplankton. Chief fish species eaten are rockfish, sandlance and cod.
They often follow ships to scavenge discarded fish and offal. These birds have a keen sense of smell, which they use to locate food sources across vast expanses of ocean.
Behaviour
Leach's Storm-petrels are highly pelagic, spending most of their lives at sea. They feed by picking prey from the water's surface while hovering or pattering with their feet. These birds are nocturnal at their breeding colonies, returning under the cover of darkness to avoid predators.
Vocalisation
At their breeding colonies, Leach's Storm-petrels produce a variety of vocalisations. The most common is a series of chuckling or purring sounds, often described as 'chuckle-chatter.' Males also give a high-pitched 'flight call' that sounds like 'kee-kee-kee' when approaching the nest site.
Nesting & Breeding
Leach's Storm-petrels form long-term pair bonds and return annually to the same breeding sites. The breeding season typically begins in April or May, depending on the location.
Nests are built at the end of burrows or in rock crevices lined with grass, feathers, or other soft materials. Females lay a single white egg, often with a faint ring of reddish spots at the larger end.
Both parents share incubation duties for about 41-42 days. Chicks fledge after 60-70 days, receiving care from both parents throughout this period.
Lifespan
years
The Leach's Storm-petrel typically lives for 20 to 25 years.
Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
Leach's Storm-petrel is classified as Vulnerable due to significant population declines. Major threats include predation by introduced mammals at breeding sites, light pollution causing disorientation, and climate change affecting food availability. Conservation efforts focus on predator control and habitat protection on breeding islands.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for Leach's Storm-petrels far offshore, especially during storms or strong winds
- Observe their distinctive flight pattern: erratic and bat-like with rapid wingbeats
- Listen for their eerie, chuckling calls at night near breeding colonies
- Join pelagic birding trips for the best chances of spotting these elusive seabirds
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Other names:
Leach's Petrel
Family:
HydrobatidaePredators
Main predators include large gulls, skuas, ravens, and introduced mammals such as rats and cats on breeding islands.
Did You Know?
- Leach's Storm-petrels can drink seawater and excrete excess salt through special glands.
- They can live for over 30 years, making them one of the longest-lived small seabirds.
- These birds have an excellent sense of smell, rare among birds, which they use to find food and their nesting burrows.
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References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Hydrobates leucorhous. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T132438298A132438484.
View source - 2 3
report: Huntingdon et al. 1996, Lormee et al. 2012, BirdLife International 2015, Environment Canada unpublished data, Japanese Ministry of Environment, unpublished data