Wilson's Storm Petrel

Family: Hydrobatidae

Scientific Name: Oceanites oceanicus

Description: Storm-petrels are the smallest seabirds. They are blackish- brown, except for a white patch on the rump and a grayish flash on the shoulders of the wings. Adults are 18cm long and 41cm wide.

Distribution: Abundant off the Atlantic coast from May to September.

Habitat: They are normally found out of sight of land and come ashore at night only; they visit isolated offshore islands to breed.

Nesting: Single eggs are laid in burrows or rock crevices; once the chick is hatched, the parents visit at night to bring food.

Diet: They feed by picking small marine animals from the water surface with their beaks.