New Zealand Storm Petrel

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The New Zealand Storm Petrel is a tiny, dainty seabird measuring roughly 17 centimetres with a 37-centimetre wingspan. It is primarily sooty-black above with a prominent white rump patch. The head, throat, and upper breast form a solid dark hood, cleanly separated from a white belly that features diagnostic dense dark longitudinal streaking. In flight, a pale diagonal bar is visible across the upper wing coverts, and a narrow white stripe marks the underwing. Its exceptionally long legs cause the entirely dark-webbed feet to project conspicuously beyond the tail tip. Strictly silent at sea, the species only vocalises at its nocturnal breeding colonies. Its flight is highly energetic and erratic, often "pattering" or skipping across the surface with wings held in a high V-shape. This pelagic specialist forages for small crustaceans and fish well beyond the continental shelf, appearing to "walk on water" as it bounds over waves with rapid wingbeats and short glides. In an Australian context, it is a rare but increasingly reported visitor to the deep waters of the Tasman Sea. It is most easily confused with Wilson’s Storm Petrel, which has an entirely dark belly and yellow foot webs. The Black-bellied Storm Petrel is larger and features a solid black central stripe on the belly rather than fine streaks, while the White-bellied Storm Petrel is distinguished by its clean, unstreaked white underparts and shorter legs that do not project beyond the tail. The White-faced Storm Petrel is easily separated by its distinct facial markings and lack of belly streaking.

Description · BirdUp · CC BY-SA 4.0

1. 01

   White belly with fine black streaking

   Distinctive white belly with fine, diffuse black streaking.

2. 02

   Pale diagonal bar across upperwing coverts

   A distinct, light greyish-brown bar on the upperwing, contrasting with the otherwise dark plumage.

3. 03

   Long legs project well beyond tail in flight

   The long legs extend conspicuously past the end of the short tail.

4. 04

   Black throat and breast contrast with white belly

   Forms a sharp, dark 'bib' that clearly separates the dark head from the streaked white underparts.