Wilson’s storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus)

Description

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Wilson’s storm-petrel fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Wilson’s storm-petrel description

One of the most numerous of all sea birds ⁽³⁾, Wilson’s storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) is predominantly sooty-black with a white, U-shaped rump. There is a pale bar on the upperwing, and the dark underwing has a paler patch on the underwing-coverts ⁽³⁾.

The wings of Wilson’s storm-petrel are distinctively short and rounded, and its feet can be seen protruding slightly past its square tail when in flight. When gliding close to the water’s surface, Wilson’s storm-petrel appears to ‘jump’ as it repeatedly dips its long legs in the water. This species has a distinctive bright yellow membrane between its black toes, which is thought to attract prey ⁽²⁾. As in other storm-petrels, the female Wilson’s storm-petrel is larger than the male ⁽⁴⁾.

Two subspecies of Wilson’s storm-petrel are recognised: Oceanites oceanicus exasperatus and the slightly smaller Oceanites oceanicus oceanicus ⁽³⁾.

Also known as

flat-clawed storm petrel, Wilson’s petrel, Wilson’s storm petrel, yellow-webbed storm-petrel.

French

Océanite de Wilson.

Size

Length: 15 - 19 cm ⁽²⁾

Wingspan: 38 - 42 cm ⁽²⁾

Weight

34 - 45 g ⁽²⁾

Wilson’s storm-petrel biology

Wilson’s storm-petrel makes nests in burrows or rock crevices, and tends to breed together in loose colonies. The breeding season is around November to December. Each pair lays a single egg, which hatches after an incubation period of around 43 days ⁽²⁾.

The diet of Wilson’s storm-petrel is mostly based on planktonic crustaceans, especially krill, but may also include fish, squid and other molluscs. This species can detect prey by smell, and is known to search out and follow fishing trawlers ^{(2) (6)}.

Wilson’s storm-petrel uses a wide range of vocal signals to communicate. It is a strong flier and an excellent swimmer, but cannot sustain itself for more than a few steps when walking on land ⁽²⁾.

Due to its fragility on land, Wilson’s storm-petrel only comes to shore at night, to avoid predators such as gulls and eagles. When threatened, Wilson’s storm-petrel may squeak and eject an oily liquid from the stomach in defence ^{(2) (6)}.

Wilson’s storm-petrel range

Wilson’s storm-petrel is extremely wide ranging, visiting all major oceans except the Arctic ⁽³⁾.

Wilson’s storm-petrel habitat

Wilson’s storm-petrel breeds around the cold waters of Antarctica, on rocky islets, cliffs and amongst boulder scree. During the southern winter it heads north, and may be seen around small rocky islands in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans ^{(2) (5)}.

Wilson’s storm-petrel status

Wilson's storm-petrel is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Wilson’s storm-petrel threats

Wilson’s storm-petrel is among the most numerous of all birds. No global threat to this species is known, but it does face competition from commercial fishing, as well as the problem of pesticide and heavy metal contamination of its food sources ⁽²⁾.

Wilson’s storm-petrel conservation

No specific conservation measures are currently in place for Wilson’s storm-petrel ⁽²⁾.

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Find out more

Find out more about Wilson’s storm-petrel and its conservation:

• BirdLife International - Wilson’s storm-petrel:
  http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3969

More information on the conservation of albatrosses and petrels:

• Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels:
  http://www.acap.aq/en/

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This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Coverts

Small feathers concealing the bases of larger flight feathers, usually on the wings or tail.

Crustaceans

Diverse group of animals with jointed limbs and a hard external skeleton, characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, woodlice and barnacles.

Incubation

The act of incubating eggs, that is, keeping them warm so that development is possible.

Molluscs

A diverse group of invertebrates, mainly marine, that have one or all of the following: a horny, toothed ribbon in the mouth (the radula), a shell covering the upper surface of the body, and a mantle or mantle cavity with a type of gill. Includes snails, slugs, shellfish, octopuses and squid.

Planktonic

Of or relating to plankton; aquatic organisms, usually tiny, that drift passively with water movements. Includes phytoplankton (plants), zooplankton (animals), or other organisms such as bacteria.

Subspecies

A population usually restricted to a geographical area that differs from other populations of the same species, but not to the extent of being classified as a separate species.

References

1. IUCN Red List (November, 2010)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org/
2. del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A. and Sargatal, J. (1992) Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
3. Brooke, M. (2004) Albatrosses and Petrels across the World. Oxford University, Oxford.
4. Copestake, P.G. and Croxall, J.P. (1985) Aspects of the breeding biology of Wilson’s storm petrel Oceanites oceanicus at Bird Island, South Georgia. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin, 66: 7-17.
5. BirdLife International (July, 2011)
   http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3969
6. Burnie, D. (2001) Animal. Dorling Kindersley, London.