Bird GuideNorthern Storm-PetrelsBand-rumped Storm-Petrel
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Band-rumped Storm-Petrel

Band-rumped Storm-Petrel
Hydrobates castro
At a Glance Range & Identification Conservation Back to Top

At a Glance

Until the late 1970s, this species was considered an accidental visitor to North America, with a few having been found inland after hurricanes. With increased surveys offshore, it has proven to be a regular visitor far off our southern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. It may have been overlooked in the past because of its great similarity to Leach's Storm-Petrel.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Gull-like Birds, Storm-Petrels
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Habitat
Open Ocean
Region
Florida, Mid Atlantic, Southeast, Texas
Behavior
Flap/Glide, Soaring, Swimming
Population
150.000

Range & Identification

Description

7.5 - 9" (19-23 cm). W. 16 1/2-18 (42-45 cm). Suggests Leach's Storm-Petrel, with relatively long, angular wings, but rump band is more even-edged. Different flight, less erratic, with shallow wingbeats and stiff-winged glides.
Size
About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, White
Wing Shape
Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Notched, Square-tipped

Songs and Calls

Usually silent at sea.
Call Pattern
Flat, Rising
Call Type
Rattle, Raucous, Scream, Whistle

Conservation

Conservation Status