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

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

Categories

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.
6
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.

Species Categories

African & Green BroadbillsAfrican & New World ParrotsAfrican BarbetsAlbatrossesAnhingas, DartersAustral Storm PetrelsBarn OwlsBee-eatersBulbulsBuntingsBushshrikesBustardsButtonquailCaracaras, FalconsChats, Old World FlycatchersCisticolas & AlliesCormorants, ShagsCoursers, PratincolesCrab-ploverCranesCrombecs, African WarblersCrows, JaysCuckoosCuckooshrikesDrongosDucks, Geese, SwansFairy FlycatchersFigbirds, Orioles, TurnagraFinches, EuphoniasFinfootsFlamingosFlufftailsFrigatebirdsGannets, BoobiesGrassbirds & AlliesGrebesGround HornbillsGuineafowlGulls, Terns, SkimmersHamerkopHerons, BitternsHoneyguidesHoopoesHornbillsHyliotasIbises, SpoonbillsIndigobirds, WhydahsJacanasKingfishersKites, Hawks, EaglesLarksLaughingthrushes & AlliesLeaf Warblers & AlliesMonarchsMousebirdsNicatorsNightjarsNorthern Storm PetrelsOld World ParrotsOld World Sparrows, SnowfinchesOspreysOstrichesOwlsOxpeckersOystercatchersPainted-snipesPelicansPenduline TitsPenguinsPetrels, Shearwaters, Diving PetrelsPheasants & AlliesPigeons, DovesPittasPloversRails, Crakes & CootsReed Warblers & AlliesRockjumpersRollersSandgrouseSandpipers, SnipesSecretarybirdSheathbillsShrikesSkuasStarlings, RhabdornisStilts, AvocetsStone-curlews, Thick-kneesStorksSugarbirdsSunbirdsSwallows, MartinsSwiftsSylviid BabblersThrushesTits, ChickadeesTreecreepersTrogonsTropicbirdsTuracosVangas & AlliesWagtails, PipitsWattle-eyes, BatisesWaxbills, Munias & AlliesWeavers, WidowbirdsWhite-eyesWood HoopoesWoodpeckersYellow Flycatchers

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Alice J
Awesome Birding Community
I absolutely love the community aspect of this app. The app is so user friendly and has fun interactive challenges to get you out birding. I’ve tried others but since I’ve started using Birda I’ve not gone back!
Unbridled Discoveries
Great app for bird lovers
I love this app! It’s a wonderful way to track birding sessions, and also connect you with fellow birders. I also really like the unidentified bird section, it’s a great community tool to help figure out what a never-before-seen bird is!
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!
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.
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 😃
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 😁
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.
Carl B
Helped me to identify more birds
Love this app and has helped me to identify more birds. The challenges and badges are great for keeping the motivation going to get out and keep birding.
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🦉🦅
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!
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.