Band-rumped
Storm-petrel
Other names
Madeiran Storm-petrel is probably a newer name for
this bird. Expect boat announcers to call it Band-rumped
for some time. Reference
Only and Scofield (23) use the name Madeiran
Storm-petrel.
Distribution
"An abundant storm-petrel ....occurring in the
Atlantic and Pacific in both tropical and sub-tropical
waters." (23-p. 228 ) In the Atlantic breeds
on islets off St. Helena, Boatswainbird I. (near
Ascension) , Cape Verde, Canary Islands. Two peaks of
breeding activity June-September and January-May. (23)
. Probably candidate for subspecies.
Where To See
The August 2004 BBC canyons trip identified one
Band-rumped Storm-petrel. Several were seen on the
July 19, 2008 trip, all in warm water. More commonly seen on
pelagic trips from North Carolina. Not seen near
the coast.
Identification
Feeds alone or in small groups. Attracted to chum and
perhaps fish oil.
According to Marshall Illif, often on the outside of
small groups of WSP and the first to fly when boat
approaches. Look for a larger storm-petrel on
outside of group.
New England
birders needs to separate Band-rumped from Wilson's and
Leach's Storm-petrels.
Leach's and Band-rumped
are both larger than Wilson's Storm-petrel. Wilson's
feet trail behind tail and photographs may show the
yellow webs between the toes.
Tail
is not notched as in the Leach's Storm-petrel.
Photographs can show the white rump wrapped around the
sides of the rump.
European Storm-petrel
Breeding
Breeds on rat free islands off Norway, Faeroe
Islands, Iceland, Britain, Ireland, in the Mediterranean
and the Canary Islands.
The author encounted this bird breeding
in a stone tower called a broch on the Island Mousa near
Lerwick in the Shetland Islands.
Tom Jamieson
info@mousaboattrips.co.uk or
www.mousaboattrips.co.uk runs a boat trip to Mousa.
From May to July there is an evening boat that leaves at
11 PM and returns at 1 AM. With a torch (flashlight) you
walk to the broch to see the Storm-petrels entering and
leaving their nests. After the first of July it stays
light much longer and he does not make the night trips.
On August 3, I went on a day trip which left at 12:30 in
the afternoon and returned at 5 PM. We walked to the
broch which is an Iron Age structure unique to Scotland.
A broch is a short double walled tower with a staircase
between the walls. Archeologist are not quite sure why
they were built or what they were for. I climbed to the
top and on the way up heard one of the Storm-petrels
making a soft purring noise within the wall.
Disburses in the Atlantic south to
Brazil primarily on the eastern side.
Where To See
This bird is only rarely been seen in waters off New
England and Canada and is likely to be overlooked due to
the abundance of Wilson's Storm-petrels. Advanced
birders should learn the characteristics that
distinguish the bird from Wilson's Storm-petrels and be
on the lookout especially on offshore trips. Since it is
a northern hemisphere breeder it is most likely to be
seen in fall and early spring.
Identification
Smaller than Leach's or Band-rumped Storm-petrels.
Only slightly smaller than Wilson's. Has a
distinct white line on underwing. Upper wing more
lightly marked. When flying feet do not protrude
beyond tail. Otherwise much like Wilson's.
Found in groups. Patters on the
water with wings raised above the horizontal in a
steeper V than Wilsons. Attracted to fish oil and known
to follow fishing boats.
Reference for this
page: Albatrosses, Petrels
& Shearwaters of the World by Derek Onley and Paul
Scofield Page author: Emmalee
Tarry |
