black_storm-petrel

Black Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates melania)

Order: Procellariiformes | Family: Hydrobatidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

black_storm-petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of California, USA

black_storm-petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of California, USA

black_storm-petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of Peru

black_storm-petrel
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Coast of California, USA

Identification & Behavior: ~22 cm (8.7 in). The Black Storm-Petrel is all dusky with prominent diagonal bars on the upper side of the wings and a forked tail. It is distinguished from the very similar Markham’s Storm-Petrel by having the diagonal bars on the upper side of the wings not reaching to the carpal area. The Black Storm-Petrel also has faster and deeper wingbeats, with more short gliding interspersed.

Status: The Black Storm-Petrel is a non-breeding migrant to the waters of northern and Central Peru, down to Lima. It is more likely seen on the months of September through April. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Golondrina de Mar Negra.

Sub-species: Black Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma melania), Bonaparte 1854.

Meaning of Name: Hydrobates: Hydro: Gr.= water, and bates= walker, one who walks.  melania: L. dark, black.

See more of the Family Hydrobatidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
black_storm-petrelVoice:
Generally silent at sea.

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.