Black Storm-Petrel

1. Bird Name
The English name of the bird is Black Storm-Petrel, and its scientific or Latin name is Hydrobates melania.

2. Appearance
The Black Storm-Petrel is a small seabird with an entirely sooty-black body. This bird’s shape is distinct with long, slender wings, deeply forked tail, and notably long legs that hang visibly when in flight. It has a thin, sharp beak that’s sleek black, and the eyes are a contrasting deep dark brown. The bird’s feathers are smooth and glossy. There’s no significant variation in appearance between males and females, making it difficult to distinguish their sexes visually.

3. Size
The Black Storm-Petrel stands at an average length of 18 to 20 cm (7.1 -7.9 inches) from beak to tail-tip. The wingspan of this small bird extends an average of 46 cm (18.1 inches). In terms of weight, this bird is light, ranging between 30-50 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
The Black Storm-Petrel predominantly inhabits the warm Pacific and the Gulf of California. They prefer offshore habitats, often venturing far out to sea and rarely approaching the coast outside their breeding season. They’re most frequently sighted around islands and in regions where underwater upwelling brings their prey close to the surface.

5. Interesting Facts
One interesting fact about Black Storm-Petrels is their unique olfactory prowess; they use their sense of smell while foraging, which is uncommon among birds. The name “Storm-Petrel” perpetuates a mariners’ myth that these birds are harbingers of stormy weather. This myth is due to their habit of appearing in inland and coastal areas when storms force them ashore.

6. Diet
The Black Storm-Petrel is primarily a nocturnal feeder that preys on planktonic crustaceans, small squid, and fish. They are known to show scavenge behavior behind fishing vessels.

7. Behavior & Sounds
Black Storm-Petrels are solitary outside of their breeding colonies and are primarily nocturnal. The bird’s flight style is unique – a combination of rapid wing flaps and glides. Their call is rarely heard, although in their breeding colonies, they make a high pitched, repetitive, and insect-like chirring sound.

8. Conservation Status
Black Storm-Petrel is currently classified as Least Concern (LC) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, its population has been on a declining trend due to several threats like predation by invasive species on breeding islands and marine pollution.

9. Lifespan
Black Storm-Petrels typically live up to 20 years in the wild. Lifespan in captivity varies, but it generally tends to be shorter due to their specific living requirements.

10. Additional Notes
In Spanish, the Black Storm-Petrel is called “Paiño Negro.” Although they do not interact with humans frequently, they play a vital role in attracting predators like sharks, whales, and other sea birds due to the food particles left in their wake when feeding. Their role in the ecosystem is also essential as indicators of aquatic health due to their position in the food chain and vulnerability to changes in food supply and water temperature.