Home > Marine Life > Birds > Leach's Storm Petrel

Family Hydrobatidae

HAWAII

Oceanodroma leucorhoa 

Waimanalo Beach, Oahu

LEACH'S STORM-PETREL

Rarely seen near shore during winter storms.  Feeds on zooplankton by pattering (walking on the ocean's surface while hovering).  Dark brown with with more or less interrupted white band on rump, tail forked.  The more common (in Hawaii) Band-rumped Storm Petrel has a broad rectangular white band and slightly forked tail.  Wingspan 18 inches, length 8 inches.  Nests on offshore islands of the Northern Pacific rim, common in the North Atlantic.

Photos of weak bird rescued from surf during strong NE winds, 3/7/2010

http://www.seattleaudubon.org/birdweb/bird_details.aspx?id=29