ID Keys: White underparts and face, dark upperparts, gray rump,
wedge-shaped tail, dark stripe on face, dark neck band, dark tail
The
White-faced Storm-Petrel is a widespread speces in the Southern Hemisphere,
with breeding sites in the south Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the
southwestern Pacific near Australia and New Zealand. In the Northern
Hemisphere, they breed on select islands in the eastern Atlantic, and in
North America, they are relatively rare vagrants off the east coast of the
United States.
Habitat
Breeds on islands in scattered
subtropical and temperate oceans across the globe. Outside of the
breeding season, they are pelagic, often found just off the continental
shelf in areas with upwelling currents.
Diet
Feeds mostly on small fish, fish eggs, small crustaceans,
as well as other small ocean creatures.
Behavior
Forages by flying low over the water's
surface and dipping down to the water's surface to "foot patter" and grab
prey items.
Nesting
Colonial nester, with nests consisting of
burrows They may also use natural crevices between rocks, or other
protected areas. The female lays a single egg in the nesting chamber,
and both parents help to incubate it. Upon hatching, both parents help
to feed and raise the nestling.
Song
Usually silent while away from the breeding
grounds.
Migration
Breeds on islands in widely
scattered locations, including the Cape Verde and Salvages Islands in
the North Atlantic, Gough Island and Tristan da Cuhna in the South
Atlantic, as well as islands in the Indian Ocean, and near Australia and
New Zealand. Outside of the breeding season, they are found in pelagic
areas, across much of the southern Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans,
as well as in the North Atlantic.
In North America, the white underparts make it distinguishable from other
Storm-Petrel species found in the North Atlantic. The facial pattern
leads to occasional confusion with Phalarope species.
