Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Tristram's Storm Petrel

Hydrobates tristrami

The Tristram's storm petrel, or ʻakihikeʻehiʻale, is a seabird of the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae, named in honor of the English clergyman and naturalist Henry Baker Tristram. It is a species cloaked in dark plumage, with a slightly paler rump and a subtle grey bar on the upper wing. This bird is distinguished by its long, angular wings and robust bill, adapted for its diet of small cephalopods. It is the largest member of its family, measuring 24.5 to 27 cm in length, with a wingspan of 54 to 57 cm, and weighing between 71 to 120 grams.

Identification Tips

When identifying Tristram's storm petrel, look for its all-over dark plumage, contrasted by a pale rump and a grey bar on the upper wing. Its long, angular wings and stout bill are also key characteristics. The bird's size, being the largest in its family, can also aid in identification.

Habitat

Tristram's storm petrel is a pelagic bird, spending much of its life at sea. It is found predominantly in the tropical seas of the north Pacific Ocean.

Distribution

The species has a wide distribution across the north Pacific, with breeding colonies located in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and several small islands south of Japan, including the Bonin Islands and Izu.

Behaviour

This storm petrel is a colonial nester, with colonies attended nocturnally. It is a pelagic feeder, foraging for squid and fish in the open ocean. Breeding occurs during the winter months.

Breeding

Tristram's storm petrel breeds in colonies during the winter. The colonies are located on remote islands and are visited by the birds at night.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of Tristram's storm petrel consists of small cephalopods, squid, and fish, which it captures from the ocean's surface.

Conservation status

The IUCN Red List classifies Tristram's storm petrel as Least Concern. However, the species is considered near threatened due to past declines caused by introduced rats on Torishima Island. Breeding colonies in Hawaii are protected areas, which aids in the species' conservation.

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

Tristram's Storm Petrels on Birda

Sightings
A map showing the sighting location
Profile picture for Zeke Smith
Zeke Smith
21 Nov 2019 - 1:30pm
United States Minor Outlying Islands

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
Nedz53
Really useful
Downloaded to give it a try, everything worked perfectly, recorded my first bird watching walk. Very impressed. Have already recommended to friends!
Marlster24
Very Wholesome App
Joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😄
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Carrie
Makes you want to spot birds more
I think this app is fun. It makes you want to spot birds more so I guess in a way it encourages you to get out and about instead of sitting in front of the TV.
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.
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
Marlster24
Recommend for any bird watcher
Very wholesome app: I joined this app with a new interest in watching birds to help me find out what I was spotting. The community is very active in helping identify birds which is great and everyone is very kind so it’s just a nice wholesome community. I would definitely recommend this for any bird spotter 😃
Hip An
Fantastic
Really enjoying Birda where I live i have a lot of Red kites really hard to photograph but I can video are you planning some place on the app where us Birda can post vids🦉🦅
Emma L
App got me interested in birding!
Super friendly community <3 This app got me interested in birding! It teaches me cool stuff and its super friendly, and fun :) The species guide is really developing my knowledge, and i love seeing cool new birds from round the world!
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!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.