Mike Unwin

Elliot's Storm Petrel

About the Elliot's Storm Petrel

Elliot's Storm Petrel (Oceanites gracilis), also known as the white-vented storm petrel, is a small seabird in the family Oceanitidae.

These birds are small, about 15–17 cm (6–7 inches) in length, with a wingspan of around 38–42 cm (15–16.5 inches).

Their plumage is dark, sooty black overall, with a distinctive white patch on the rump and undertail. The underwings are slightly paler, giving the bird a subtle contrast in flight.

The bill is black and slender, adapted for picking small prey from the water's surface. The legs and Feet are black, with feet that barely extend beyond the tail during flight.

They feed on small fish, plankton, and crustaceans, skimming the ocean's surface while fluttering close to the waves.

Elliot's storm petrels nest in colonies on rocky offshore islands, crevices, and burrows. The female usually lays a single white egg.

Commonality of Elliot's Storm Petrels

Its population status is not well-documented due to its elusive and pelagic lifestyle.

Protection & Threats

The IUCN classifies it as Least Concern, but its remote breeding sites make it vulnerable to introduced predators like rats and cats.

Climate Change

Climate change poses significant threats to Elliot's storm petrels, as it does to many seabird species. These threats primarily arise from the bird's reliance on specific marine and coastal ecosystems, which are highly sensitive to climate-induced changes.