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The European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus): The Nocturnal Sprite of the Seas

A European Storm Petrel in flight, skimming the waves, showing its dark plumage and white rump.
The European Storm Petrel is Europe's smallest seabird, famous for its butterfly-like flight just above the water.

The Sprite of the Seas

The European Storm Petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) is truly a captivating and elusive inhabitant of our oceans. As the tiniest seabird in Europe, it’s only slightly bigger than a swallow. This little bird is mostly found far out at sea, spending nearly its whole life away from the shore. Sailors often spot it, as it has a charming habit of skimming and dancing across the waves. Its name actually comes from its tendency to be more visible near the coasts during fierce storms, which has inspired countless tales and legends. Its diminutive size is a stark contrast to giants like the Wandering Albatross, highlighting the incredible diversity of marine birds.

Identifying the Storm Petrel

This modest-sized bird is recognizable by its almost entirely sooty-black plumage, which contrasts sharply with several key features:

  • White rump: A broad, highly visible white patch at the base of the tail, which is rather square-shaped.
  • White wing-bar: A thin white band is visible on the underwing, and a more discreet bar can be seen on the upperwing.
  • Characteristic flight: Its flight is fluttering and erratic, reminiscent of a a bat, alternating between rapid wing beats and short glides low over the water, a different style from the powerful soaring of a Cory's Shearwater or the gliding of a Manx Shearwater. It often "dances" or "patters" on the water's surface with its feet.
  • Bill and legs: The bill is short, black, and hooked, with the tubular nostrils typical of its order (the tubenoses). Its legs are short and black.

Scientific Dimensions and Records

Characteristic Male Female Record / Average
Length 140 – 180 cm (55-71 in) 140 – 180 cm (55-71 in) 140 – 180 cm (55-71 in)
Weight 9 – 15 kg (avg. 11-12 kg) 9 – 15 kg (avg. 9-10 kg) Up to 15 kg (33 lbs)
Wingspan 226 – 360 cm (7.4-11.8 ft) 226 – 360 cm (7.4-11.8 ft) 2.26 – 3.6 m (7.4-11.8 ft)
Flight Speed 30 – 50 km/h (19-31 mph) 30 – 50 km/h (19-31 mph) Approx. 40 km/h (25 mph) (cruising)
Lifespan Up to 30 years Up to 30 years Over 50 years (in captivity)

Our Ornithologist's Advice

By the Les-Oiseaux.com team, published July 21, 2025

My advice: Observing the Storm Petrel is a challenge that rewards the patient. Forget about seeing it easily from the coast, except during strong autumn gales. For a true encounter, take a ferry across the Bay of Biscay or the English Channel.

But the most magical experience is at night, near a breeding colony like those in the Molène archipelago in Brittany. In the darkness, the silence is broken by strange, purring and guttural calls that seem to emerge from the bowels of the earth. It is at this moment that one truly grasps the secret life of this phantom bird, returning to feed its single chick under the cover of darkness. A twilight sea trip or a respectful, guided night listening session will leave you with an unforgettable memory.

Nocturnal Song and Calls

Silent at sea, the Storm Petrel becomes vocal at its breeding sites. Active only at night to avoid predators like gulls, it emits a strange, continuous song from its burrow. It is a kind of vibrating purr or coo, interrupted by a guttural hiccup. These sounds create a unique and mysterious atmosphere on the breeding islets.

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Storm Petrel vs. Leach's Storm Petrel: How to Tell Them Apart

The Storm Petrel can be confused with the Leach's Storm Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous), a slightly larger species with a different flight pattern. Here's how to distinguish them:

Storm Petrel

Portrait of a Storm Petrel showing its square white rump.
  • Size: Smaller and more compact.
  • Rump: Solid, square white patch.
  • Wings: Uniformly colored upperwing, white bar on underwing.
  • Tail: Square or slightly rounded.
  • Flight: Fluttering, erratic, low over the water.

Leach's Storm Petrel

Portrait of a Leach's Storm Petrel showing its forked tail and divided white rump.
  • Size: Slightly larger and more slender.
  • Rump: White but divided by a thin dark line down the middle.
  • Wings: A pale bar is visible on the upperwings.
  • Tail: Clearly forked or notched.
  • Flight: More powerful with more bounding, sweeping changes of direction.

Tip: Focus on the tail shape and the rump. If the tail is forked, it's a Leach's Storm Petrel. If the white rump patch is solid and the tail is square, it's a European Storm Petrel.

Habitat and Migration

The Storm Petrel is a true seabird that only comes to land to breed. It nests in colonies on inaccessible rocky islands and islets, safe from terrestrial predators. The population is divided into two subspecies: H. p. pelagicus in the Northeast Atlantic (Iceland, Faroe Islands, British Isles, France, Spain) and H. p. melitensis in the Mediterranean. The Atlantic birds are long-distance migrants, wintering mainly off the coasts of South Africa, while the Mediterranean populations appear to be less migratory.

Distribution Map

The map below illustrates its breeding areas in orange and its resident or wintering areas in purple.

Breeding range
Resident range (Wintering)

Surface Feeding

Its diet consists mainly of plankton. It feeds on small crustaceans, fish larvae, small squid, and organic waste found on the ocean's surface. Its hunting technique is distinctive: it flutters just above the waves with its legs dangling, picking prey from the water's surface, sometimes giving the impression of "walking on water." It is often seen following cetaceans or fishing boats to take advantage of prey brought to the surface.

Burrow Nesting

The Storm Petrel reaches sexual maturity late, at around 4 or 5 years old. It nests in colonies, often dense, in natural cavities such as rock crevices, under boulders, or in old rabbit or puffin burrows. To escape diurnal predators (gulls, skuas), all visits to the colony are made at night. The female lays a single white egg, which is remarkably large for her size (about 25% of the female's body weight). Incubation lasts about 40 days and is shared by both parents. Raising the chick is also a long process, lasting over two months, with the adults feeding it predigested food at night.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the lifespan of the Storm Petrel?

For such a small bird, it has a very long life expectancy. The average is about twenty years, but the record longevity confirmed by ringing is over 33 years.

Why is the Storm Petrel active at its nests at night?

This is an essential survival strategy. By only coming ashore under the cover of darkness, the adults avoid predation by larger, diurnal birds like gulls and skuas, which could easily capture them or their chicks.

Where can you see the Storm Petrel?

The Storm Petrel breeds mainly on offshore islands in the Northeast Atlantic and the Mediterranean. Outside the breeding season, it can be seen at sea off the coasts of Europe and Africa, especially during migratory passages or after strong storms.