Leach’s Storm-Petrel

1. Bird Name
The bird of interest is the Leach’s Storm-Petrel. Its scientific name is Oceanodroma leucorhoa.

2. Appearance
Leach’s Storm-Petrel is a small seabird with a predominantly dark plumage yielding a sooty black or charcoal gray color. It boasts a slim, swift silhouette, with a slightly forked tail which differentiates it from similar bird species. Its beak shape is short and sharp, with a small and pointed aspect, ideal for snatching prey from the water’s surface. The eyes are dark, blending seamlessly with its body color. Notably, there is no clear difference in appearance between males and females.

3. Size
On average, Leach’s Storm-Petrel measures about 18-21 cm (7-8.3 inches) in length, with a wingspan of approximately 43-46 cm (17-18 inches). The bird is lightweight, with its weight ranging from 35 to 45 grams.

4. Habitat & Distribution
Leach’s Storm-Petrels are pelagic birds, spending most of their lives on the open ocean. They are found across the vast oceans globally, including the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. While they frequent northern oceans in the breeding season, in winters, they migrate to the tropics. Nesting happens in the safety of burrows on remote cliffs and islands.

5. Interesting Facts
This bird species is known for its nocturnal habits, being most active under the cover of darkness. This is likely to avoid predation. They possess a unique trait of floating on the sea’s surface, which is unusual for most small seabirds. Also of interest is their lifespan, which the bird can live up to 36 years, an extraordinary length for such a small bird.

6. Diet
Their diet consists primarily of small fish, squid, and plankton, which they pluck from the water’s surface while in flight or when floating.

7. Behavior & Sounds
They occur singly or in loose flocks when feeding, and when frightened, they can dive underwater to escape predators. They are known for a distinctive, purring “prrrrt” call, often heard during their nocturnal activities or when they congregate in large groups during the breeding season.

8. Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies Leach’s Storm-Petrel as “Least Concern”, indicating that this species is not currently facing immediate extinction risk. However, population trends suggest a gradual decline, likely due to extensive ocean pollution and climate change.

9. Lifespan
Leach’s Storm-Petrels have an impressive lifespan. In the wild, these birds can live up to 36 years, making them one of the longest-lived bird species for their size. The lifespan in captivity is not well-documented due to their pelagic lifestyle.

10. Additional Notes
Locally, in French, Leach’s Storm-petrel is known as “Océanite cul-blanc” and in Spanish, it’s called “Paiño de Leach”. They play a vital role in marine ecosystems by controlling certain fish and squid populations and by being prey themselves to larger species. These birds tend not to interact a lot with humans due to their offshore and nocturnal lifestyle. More research is required to further understand the species and ensure its conservation.