(taxonomy and range) |
|||
Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
*Dark legs and feet | *Dark legs and feet | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | As a breeding bird this species is confined to the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean with the bulk of the population in colonies on the west coasts of [[Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. There are smaller colonies to the north in southern [[Iceland]]; the [[Faroes]] and [[Lofoten Islands]] off [[Norway]]. Also breeds in the [[Channel Islands]] and off north-west and western [[France]]. In the Mediterranean there are colonies on the [[Balearics]], and off southern [[Spain]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and [[Malta]] and there is a single colony in the Aegean. Breeding formerly occurred off [[Tunisia]] and has been reported from [[Canary Islands]] and Desertas but present status there is little-known. May also breed in [[Morocco]]. | + | As a breeding bird this species is confined to the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean with the bulk of the population in colonies on the west coasts of [[Britain]] and [[Ireland]]. There are smaller colonies to the north in southern [[Iceland]]; the [[Faroes]] and [[Lofoten Islands]] off [[Norway]]. Also breeds in the [[Channel Islands]] and off north-west and western [[France]]. In the Mediterranean there are colonies on the [[Balearics]], and off southern [[Spain]], [[Corsica]] and [[Sardinia]], [[Sicily]] and [[Malta]] and there is a single colony in the Aegean. Breeding formerly occurred off [[Tunisia]] and has been reported from [[Canary Islands]] and Desertas but present status there is little-known. May also breed in [[Morocco]]. It is not known where they spend the winter season. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
− | There are 2 subspecies | + | There are 2 subspecies: |
+ | *''pelagicus'' in the Atlantic | ||
+ | *''militensis'' in the Mediterranean | ||
==Habitat== | ==Habitat== | ||
Breeds mainly on islands, sometimes on undisturbed mainland coasts. | Breeds mainly on islands, sometimes on undisturbed mainland coasts. |
Revision as of 02:58, 5 February 2010
- Hydrobates pelagicus
Identification
15-16cm.
- Dark plumage
- White rump
- Dark iris
- Dark bill
- Dark legs and feet
Distribution
As a breeding bird this species is confined to the north-east Atlantic and Mediterranean with the bulk of the population in colonies on the west coasts of Britain and Ireland. There are smaller colonies to the north in southern Iceland; the Faroes and Lofoten Islands off Norway. Also breeds in the Channel Islands and off north-west and western France. In the Mediterranean there are colonies on the Balearics, and off southern Spain, Corsica and Sardinia, Sicily and Malta and there is a single colony in the Aegean. Breeding formerly occurred off Tunisia and has been reported from Canary Islands and Desertas but present status there is little-known. May also breed in Morocco. It is not known where they spend the winter season.
Taxonomy
There are 2 subspecies:
- pelagicus in the Atlantic
- militensis in the Mediterranean
Habitat
Breeds mainly on islands, sometimes on undisturbed mainland coasts.
Pelagic when not breeding and rarely seen from shore, only seen on land after being storm-driven.
Behaviour
Breeding
Breeds colonially in burrows and rock crevices. 1 white egg is laid. Nocturnal when visiting nest.
The diet includes plankton taken from the sea's surface.
Vocalisation
<flashmp3>Hydrobates pelagicus (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
Wikipedia