- Hydrobates melania
Oceanodroma melania
Identification
Length 9" (23 cm), wingspan 19-22" (48-56 cm). Largest dark storm-petrel in range. Dark blackish brown overall with lighter carpal bars. Very long, pointed wings.
Distribution
Breeds on islands off California and Baja; ranges to Peru
Yellow category on the Audubon Watchlist.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species.[1]
Habitat
Pelagic when not breeding.
Behaviour
Slow, deep wingbeats, glides often.
Breeding
It nests in rock crevices, sometimes in burrows. The single egg is incubated by both adults for about 50 days. The chick fledging after 10 weeks. The adults visit the nest nocturnally to avoid predation.
Diet
The diet includes mainly planktonic crustaceans, also small fish and offal.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2021. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2021. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Wikipedia
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Black Storm Petrel. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 11 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Black_Storm_Petrel
External Links
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