Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)
European Storm Petrel

European Storm Petrel

Hydrobates pelagicus

The European storm petrel, Hydrobates pelagicus, is a diminutive seabird with a distinctive appearance. It is characterized by its entirely black plumage, save for a broad white rump and a white band on the underwings. The bird's flight is fluttering and bat-like, and it possesses a square tail. This species exhibits sexual monomorphism, meaning males and females appear similar.

Identification Tips

Adult European storm petrels are small, measuring 14–18 cm in length with a wingspan of 36–39 cm. They weigh between 20–38 grams. The white rump and underwing band are key identification features, along with their fluttering flight pattern. Juveniles may show a narrow white bar on the upper wing. The Mediterranean subspecies, H. p. melitensis, has longer wings and a heavier bill but is indistinguishable at sea from its Atlantic relatives.

Habitat

These birds breed on remote and often uninhabited islands, preferring rocky crevices or burrows for nesting. They are strictly oceanic outside the breeding season, frequenting mid-depth waters away from the coast and avoiding deep oceanic zones.

Distribution

The European storm petrel is found in the Western Palaearctic, with significant breeding colonies in the Faroe Islands, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Iceland. The Mediterranean population, a separate subspecies, breeds in areas such as Filfla Island, Sicily, and the Balearic Islands. During the Northern Hemisphere winter, they migrate to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia.

Behaviour

Breeding typically begins in late May or June, with these birds exhibiting nocturnal display flights. They are known to mate for life and often return to the same nesting site annually. Outside the breeding season, they are oceanic and can be seen pattering on the sea's surface while feeding.

Song & Calls

The European storm petrel is usually silent at sea but has a chattering call used in courtship flights. The male also produces a purring song from the breeding chamber. Calls vary geographically, with the Mediterranean subspecies having a distinctive chatter-call.

Breeding

A single white egg is laid in a nest within crevices or burrows, with both parents sharing incubation duties. Chicks are fed with regurgitated oily stomach contents and fledge after approximately 56–86 days.

Similar Species

The European storm petrel can be differentiated from other Western Palaearctic species like Leach's storm petrel, band-rumped storm petrel, and Monteiro's storm petrel by its smaller size, darker plumage, shorter wings, and square tail. Wilson's storm petrel lacks the underwing bar and has longer legs.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of small fish, squid, crustaceans, and jellyfish. They feed by picking items off the sea's surface and can locate oily food by smell. The Mediterranean subspecies primarily feeds on fish and exploits bluefin tuna farms for additional food sources.

Conservation Status

The European storm petrel is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its high total numbers. However, populations may be declining slightly due to predation and introduced predators on breeding islands. Conservation efforts include rat eradication and protection against natural predators.

In Culture

The European storm petrel has been associated with mariners' superstitions, often seen as an omen of bad weather or the souls of perished sailors. Its presence in rough seas has also led to its use as a symbol by revolutionary and anarchist groups.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

European Storm Petrel Fun Facts

Did you know?
European Storm Petrel only visit land to breed and only do so at night to avoid predation.

European Storm Petrels on Birda

Sightings

More Northern Storm Petrels

A photo of a Band-rumped Storm Petrel (Hydrobates castro)

Band-rumped Storm Petrel

Hydrobates castro
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Talli A
My favourite app
As a young birdwatcher who was always keen to be apart of a community but never seemed to find one, my problem was solved downloading this!!! Everyone is so friendly and just as excited to see birds as me 😁
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
Mike T
Sense of Community
A great app, which is continually being improved. What really comes through is the passion of those behind the app. The sense of community is brilliant, so much help and support provided to new and/or in experienced birders.
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
D3Nature
Great app for learning Birds
I’ve been using the app for a couple of months and love it....Someone said it’s like a real life Pokémon Go for birds. They’re not far off! It’s something that the family can do that gets you out and about. Well worth downloading no matter your age.
David C
Very knowledgeable group
Nice friendly birding community. Very knowledgeable group with a willingness to help.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.