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A photo of a Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)
Wilson's Storm Petrel

Wilson's Storm Petrel

Oceanites oceanicus

Wilson's storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), 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 to 20 million birds. In 2010 it had been estimated at 12-30 million. Wilson's storm petrel is a small bird, 16–18.5 cm (6.3–7.3 in) in length. It is slightly larger than the European storm petrel and is essentially dark brown in all plumages, except for the white rump and flanks. The feet extend just beyond the square ended tail in flight. The European storm petrel has a very distinct whitish lining to the underwing and a nearly all dark upperwing. Wilson's storm petrel has a diffuse pale band along the upper wing coverts and lacks the distinctive white underwing lining. The webbing between the toes is yellow with black spots in pre-breeding age individuals.
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Wilson's Storm Petrels on Birda

Photos

Sightings

A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zac Peterson
Zac Peterson
Sunday 20 Aug 2023 - 6:39am
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Bob Rodgers
Bob Rodgers
Sunday 13 Aug 2023 - 2:28pm
United States
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Rebecca Rothstein
Rebecca Rothstein
Saturday 12 Aug 2023 - 6:01pm
United States
A photo of a Wilson's Petrel photographed in Baltimore Canyon
Profile picture for Daniel Sloan
Daniel Sloan
Saturday 12 Aug 2023 - 5:48pm
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