Hornby’s Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates hornbyi)

Identification & Behavior: ~22 cm (8.7 in). The Ringed (Hornby’s) Storm-Petrel is unmistakable by being the only storm-petrel with gray back, white underparts, dark breast band, and dusky hood. The Tail is deeply forked. It is similar to the White-faced Storm-Petrel, but is distinguished by being longer and slender, having a complete breast band, and dark underwing lining.

Status: The Ringed (Hornby’s) Storm-Petrel is generally fairly common resident along the coast of Peru, but at times it can be rare. Breeding sites for this species have not been found yet. It may breed in land to judge by the birds and juvenile birds caught in cities presumably going to or coming back from breeding areas. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Ch.

Name in Spanish: Golondrina de Mar Acollarada.

Sub-species: Ringed (Hornby’s) Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma hornbyi), G. R. Gray 1854.

Meaning of Name: Hydrobates: Hydro: Gr.= water, and bates= walker, one who walks. hornbyi: In honor of Admiral Sir Phipps Hornby, Brittish Comander in-chief stationed in the Pacific.

See more of the Family Hydrobatidae