Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhoa)

Identification & Behavior: ~20.5 cm (8.1 in). The Leach’s Storm-Petrel is similar to other white-rumped storm-petrels. It is distinguished having the white restricted to the rump with little to no extension to the sides of the tail and undertail coverts. It shows a triangular dusky shape that “encroaches” down from the uppers side of the rump splitting the tail in half. The tail is deeply forked and flies with deep wingbeats in a generally erratic flight. See Wilson’s Storm-Petrel and Band-rumped Storm-Petrel.

Status: The Leach’s Storm-Petrel is non-breeding migrants known to occur in the waters of north and central Peru. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Golondrina de Mar Boreal.

Sub-species: Leach’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa).

Meaning of Name: Hydrobates: Hydro: Gr.= water, and bates= walker, one who walks. leucorhoa: Gr. leukos = white and orrhos= the rump.

See more of the Family Hydrobatidae