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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Oceanitidae
  4. ›
  5. Fregetta
  6. ›
  7. White-bellied Storm Petrel
White-bellied Storm Petrel
Photo · (c) ian_mcallan, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

White-bellied Storm Petrel

Fregetta grallaria(Vieillot, 1818)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: VulnerableOrigin: Native
Order
PROCELLARIIFORMES
Family
Oceanitidae
Genus
Fregetta

At a glance

The White-bellied Storm Petrel is a medium-sized bird, about 18–22 cm long, listed as Vulnerable and native to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
18–22 cm
Conservation status
Vulnerable
Origin
Native
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Rare
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a White-bellied Storm Petrel look like?

The White-bellied Storm Petrel is a medium-sized bird, about 18–22 cm long and weighing 45–65 g.

The white-bellied storm petrel is a species of seabird in the family Oceanitidae. It is found in Angola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Maldives, Namibia, New Zealand, Perú, Saint Helena, and South Africa. Its natural habitat is open seas.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
18–22 cm
Weight
45–65 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a White-bellied Storm Petrel?

The White-bellied Storm Petrel is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a White-bellied Storm Petrel eat?

The White-bellied Storm Petrel feeds on fish/invertebrates, usually foraging in flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

4 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the White-bellied Storm Petrel live in Australia?

The White-bellied Storm Petrel is native to Australia, recorded across 4 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning tropical and subtropical southern ocean islands.

BreedingTropical and subtropical southern ocean islands: south-central Indian Ocean is., Lord Howe Is. (far east of Australia), Kermadec Is. (north-east of North I., New Zealand), Rapa (Austral Is., east Polynesia) and San Felix and San Ambrosio (Easter I.=Eastern Is. group, south-east Polynesia) and Juan Fernandez Is. (far west of central Chile)

Non-breedingTropical and subtropical southern oceans between Equator and Subtropical Convergence

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant
  • Breeding

5 regions recorded