Alternative name: White-vented Storm Petrel
- Oceanites gracilis
Identification
Sooty-black, white rump extends to side of the body, white belly difficult to see (at least found on subspecies gracilis), wings with straight trailing edge are dark both above and below but with pale panel on upperside, long legs which extend beyond the body in flight.
Similar Species
Very similar to but smaller than Wilson's Storm Petrel, and flies faster and more irregularly; Wilson's Storm Petrel lacks the white belly patch. Both Black-bellied Storm Petrel and White-bellied Storm Petrel have white underwing continuing into the white central underside.
Distribution
South America and Galapagos:
South America: found in Colombia, Ecuador, Galapagos, Peru and Chile.
Taxonomy
Subspecies
There are 2 subspecies[1]:
- O. g. galapagoensis:
- Galapagos Islands (breeding grounds unknown)
- O. g. gracilis:
Habitat
Except when breeding, this is a pelagic species.
Behaviour
It forages close to the shore and follows ships. During foraging, it frequently dangles its feet into the water.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, B.L. Sullivan, C. L. Wood, and D. Roberson. 2012. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2012. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019. Spreadsheet available at http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/downloadable-clements-checklist
- Avibase
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Elliot's Storm Petrel. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 5 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Elliot%27s_Storm_Petrel
