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Northern Storm Petrels

Northern storm petrels are a group of the smallest seabirds, comprising the family Hydrobatidae within the order Procellariiformes. They are typically found in the Northern Hemisphere and are known for their fluttering, bat-like flight patterns as they feed on crustaceans and small fish at the ocean's surface. These birds are expert fliers, often hovering or "walking" on the water's surface using the wind to stay in position. They are pelagic, which means they spend most of their lives at sea and only come to land to breed. Loyal to their birth colonies, storm petrels are nocturnal visitors to their nest sites, where they engage in monogamous and long-term breeding partnerships, sharing duties like incubation and chick-feeding. Their reproductive cycle is lengthy, with incubation lasting up to 50 days, and fledglings taking an additional 70 days. Sadly, some storm petrel species are threatened by human encroachment, particularly by invasive predators on what were once mammal-free island breeding grounds. The Guadalupe storm petrel is believed to be extinct due to such pressures. The taxonomy of storm petrels is complex, with the family Hydrobatidae itself being refined over time through DNA analysis, which has identified several distinct species and led to the merger of the once-distinct genera Hydrobates and Oceanodroma. Physical traits such as grey or dark plumage with white rump patches, forked or wedge-shaped tails, and longer wings distinguish storm petrels. Identifying these birds at sea is notoriously challenging due to their varied appearances and the prevalence of incorrect information. Their diets are not well-documented but generally revolve around crustaceans, supplemented by fish and molluscs. Storm petrels exhibit diverse migration patterns; some species travel vast distances post-breeding, while others are more sedentary. Breeding occurs in colonies, often on isolated islands where they nest in burrows or crevices, displaying strong site fidelity. Their cultural significance is notable, seen as omens of stormy weather, and historically they have been associated with sailors' lore and revolutionary symbolism in literature and politics. Their conservation is critical as they face growing threats such as habitat degradation and predation by invasive species.

Regions

A photo of a Band-rumped Storm Petrel (Hydrobates castro)
Band-rumped Storm Petrel
Hydrobates castro
A photo of a Leach's Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous)
Leach's Petrel
Hydrobates leucorhous
Monteiro's Storm Petrel
Hydrobates monteiroi
A photo of a Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)
Storm Petrel
Hydrobates pelagicus
Swinhoe's Petrel
Hydrobates monorhis
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Species Categories

AccentorsAfrican & New World ParrotsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAuksAustral Storm PetrelsAustralasian WarblersBarn OwlsBearded ReedlingBee-eatersBuntingsBushshrikesBushtitsBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsCardinals & AlliesCettia Bush Warblers & AlliesChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCranesCrows, JaysCuckoosDippersDucks, Geese, SwansFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFlamingosFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGoldcrests, KingletsGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHerons, BitternsIbises, SpoonbillsKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesLongspurs, Snow BuntingsLoonsMockingbirds, ThrashersNew World QuailNew World SparrowsNew World WarblersNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsNuthatchesOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOropendolas, Orioles, BlackbirdsOspreysOwlsOystercatchersPelicansPenduline TitsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTropicbirdsTyrant Flycatchers, CalypturaVireos, Greenlets, Shrike-babblersWagtails, PipitsWallcreeperWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWaxwingsWeavers, WidowbirdsWoodpeckersWrensYellow-breasted Chat
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What Our Birders Say
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 😄
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Tralisalandhoop
Fantastic app - Love it!
Love this app and have used it almost daily. Lots of species information and easy to use. Love seeing birds spotted by other users in the UK and worldwide.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Chudbond
Love Birda
I love this app. It really encourages you to log your sightings and the community is friendly and helpful.
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.
Birdafan
Ideal Birdwatch Companion
Simply adds to the enjoyment of my birdwatching and helps me record what I’ve seen.
Anonymous
The best bird logging app
Birda is honestly the best bird logging app I have seen. I love all the features it has from being able to do a session and log all the birds you see in one sitting, to being able to connect with other birders from all over the globe!
EandB17
Terrific App for Birders
Downloaded Birda around the time my interest in birding was sparked, and it has been a terrific app to help me (1) share my experience, (2) document my sightings, and (3) learn more about birds in general. That said, I also believe Birda is a fantastic app for birders of all experience levels. Great community!
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.

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