Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates castro)

Identification & Behavior: ~21 cm (8.3 in). The Band-rumped Storm-Petrel is an intermediate between Wilson’s Storm-Petrel and Leach’s Storm-Petrel.  It has a relatively evenly cut white rump band. The flight is buoyant, with relatively shallow wingbeats interspersed with glides.

Status: The Band-rumped Storm-Petrel is known from a few sightings off the coast of northern. However, no documentation has been presented on how they were identified. Additional information is required to confirm these reports. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Golondrina de Mar de Madeira.

Sub-species: Band-rumped Storm-Petrel  (Oceanodroma castro), Harcourt, 1851.

Meaning of Name: Hydrobates: Hydro: Gr.= water, and bates= walker, one who walks.. castro: a Spanish or Portuguese last name. Also, it has been suggested that the word is onomatopoeic to describe the incessant calls of chicks of this species on the nest.

See more of the Family Hydrobatidae