Leach’s Storm Petrel are named after the British zoologist William Alford Leach. The scientific name Oceanodroma is from ancient greek okeanos « ocean », and dromos « runner » by the fact that they are often seen touching the surface with their legs while feeding. The species name leucorhoa is from leukos « white » and orrhos « rump ». They are usually seen in the Azores from October to December before making a southward migration to the South Atlantic.
CHARACTERISTICS
- Latin name: Oceanodroma leucorhoa
- Order: Procellariiformes
- Family: Hydrobatidae
- Length: 19-22 cm
- Weight: 40-50 gr
- Wingspan: 45-48 cm
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Source: Map Lynx Edicions/BirdLife International
DESCRIPTION
Important: Birds species have different identifying features depending on sex, age and season.
Eye color: Dark brown, black
Beak: Thin and hooked , black beak
Leg color: Black
Feather colors: Black, brown, grey, white
LIFE HISTORY
DIET
Leach’s Storm Petrels feed on the wings, pattering, dipping or surface seizing their preys. They feed mostly on small fish, planktonic crustaceans and squids.
REPRODUCTION
Leach’s Storm Petrels are considered highly pelagic and only approach land for breeding. Breeding takes place in higher latitude than those of the archipelago of the Azores. The incubation of a single egg (milky-white) lasts at around 37-50 days. The juveniles will reach the fledgling stage, first flight, at around 50-60 days.
VOCAL BEHAVIOR
By night, Leach’s Storm Petrels emit a baton sound interrupted by a wuee-cha and ending with a chu-chattericha sh-chitteri.
Illustration by Juan M. Varela.
