upperwing

upperwing underwing European distribution Flying low over sea

Identification

They are the smallest European seabirds, being scarcely bigger than a House Martin and having a similar plumage with dark upperparts and a conspicuous white rump. However, these petrels have a weak fluttery, rather bat-like flight, usually low over the sea and their underparts are completely dark except for a white line across the underwing. The more rounded stubby wings and short, square-ended tail help to separate them from Leach's Petrels.

Habitat

Breeds on remote grassy or rocky islands and headlands, otherwise oceanic.

Behaviour

Can be attracted by throwing fish oil and debris, known as 'chum', into the water by a boat. This creates an oily slick which the birds will gather to feed on. They can also be attracted at night by broadcasting their burrow calls from a headland. This even works in places such as Yorkshire, England which are hundreds of miles from their breeding colonies, proving that these birds must travel great distances to feed.

Migration

Birds migrate south to waters off South Africa in September-November, returning in April. birds from the Mediterranean population are mostly sedentary but some disperse eastwards, sometimes as far as the Black Sea.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, European Storm-petrel is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

at sea, Scilly 07/08/2010	at sea, Scilly 08/08/2010	at sea, Scilly 01/08/2010	Whitburn, Durham 17/07/2010	at sea, Scilly 09/08/2009
at sea, Scilly 09/08/2009	at sea, Scilly 09/08/2009	at sea, Scilly 09/08/2009	at sea, Cornwall 06/08/2009	at sea, Kerry 06/08/2009

 View all pictures of European Storm-petrel

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European Storm-petrel breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Britain
Canary Islands
Croatia
Faroe Islands
France
Greece
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Malta
Norway
Spain

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