Markham’s Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates markhami)

Identification & Behavior: ~23 cm (9.1 in). The Markham’s Storm-Petrel is all dusky with prominent diagonal bars on the upper side of the wings. It has a deeply forked tail. It is distinguished from the very similar Black Storm-Petrel by having the pale bars on the upper side of the wings reaching up to the carpal area. The Markham’s Storm-Petrel has slower and shallower wingbeats with more prolonged gliding.  

Status: The Markham’s Storm-Petrel seems restricted to the cold water of the Humboldt Current. It is a resident bird known to breed on coastal islands along the coast of Peru. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Golondrina de Mar de Markham.

Sub-species: Markham’s Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma markhami), Salvin 1883.

Meaning of Name: Hydrobates: Hydro: Gr.= water, and bates= walker, one who walks. markham: In honor of Rorbert Markham, English geographer and traveler.

See more of the Family Hydrobatidae