Leach's Storm-Petrel

Basic Description

With angled wings and an erratic, bouncy flight style, Leach’s Storm-Petrel is one of the most widespread and numerous seabirds in the Northern Hemisphere, though they rarely come within sight of land. Millions breed on remote islands across the North Atlantic and North Pacific, where pairs raise single chicks in burrows they visit under cover of darkness. At sea, Leach’s Storm-Petrels frequently forage alone over deep ocean waters in search of fish and plankton. Their flight style, deeply notched tail, white rump with dark dividing line, and pale wingbar help distinguish Leach’s from similar storm-petrel species.