Wilson’s Storm-Petrel

1. Nombre de ave:
English: Wilson’s Storm-Petrel
Scientific: Oceanites oceanicus

2. Apariencia:
The Wilson’s Storm-Petrel has predominately dark plumage that lends the bird a mostly sooty-brown appearance. White patches on the rump and under the wings are distinguishing markings, especially in flight. The bird has a thin, sharply pointed beak that’s designed to catch small prey, and dark black eyes. The bird’s legs are relatively long, and the feet extend beyond the tail in flight. There is no marked visual difference between males and females.

3. Tamaño:
An average length of 16–18 cm (6.3–7.1 in) with a wingspan that measures between 37 to 41 cm (approximately 15 to 16 inches). Wilson’s Storm-Petrels typically weigh between 25 to 44 grams.

4. Hábitat y distribución:
Widely distributed across the globe, Wilson’s Storm-Petrels breed in Antarctica, particularly around the Antarctic Peninsula. Outside the breeding season, these seabirds generally move to waters of the northern hemisphere and can be sighted off the Atlantic coast of North America, and further off Spain, France, and the United Kingdom. They prefer Antarctica’s cold marine environments and open sea habitats.

5. Datos de interés:
(1) Despite being one of the smallest petrels, Wilson’s Storm-Petrel is also one of the most common and numerically abundant.
(2) The bird species is named for Alexander Wilson, a Scots-American ornithologist.
(3) They have a distinctive flying style, hovering and pattering on the water’s surface as they search for food.

6. Dieta:
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel mainly feeds on fish, squid, and shrimps. They also pick up offal and other marine debris from the water’s surface.

7. Comportamiento y sonidos:
This species tends to fly erratically with rapid wing beats and often hover over the sea surface while feeding. Their voice is a soft purring chur-r-r-r, mainly heard at night at the breeding colonies.

8. Estado de conservación:
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List due to its vast global population and range.

9. Vida útil:
The lifespan of a Wilson’s Storm-Petrel is not well documented, but similar species have been observed to live 15-20 years.

10. Notas adicionales:
In response to humans, this bird typically stays away from ships unless there is food involved. As a primarily pelagic species, Wilson’s Storm-Petrels play a significant role in the ecosystem, acting as a predator for small marine organisms while also serving as prey for larger seabirds. They are colloquially known as ‘Mother Carey’s Chickens’ by sailors, a name which originates from the phrase ‘Mother Carey’s chicken but a bit bigger’, referring to their small size and common encounters at sea.