Matsudaira's storm petrel

Overview

Wikipedia

Matsudaira's storm petrel is a species of seabird in the family Hydrobatidae.

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Distribution

Region

Northwest Pacific and northwestern Indian Ocean

Typical Environment

Breeds on steep, remote volcanic islets where it nests in crevices and burrows. At sea it ranges over warm tropical waters far from land, often along convergence lines and areas of upwelling. It forages over the open ocean, typically close to the wave tops, and may gather where prey is concentrated by currents. Outside the breeding season it disperses widely to pelagic waters of the Arabian Sea and adjacent regions.

Altitude Range

Sea level to 400 m

Climate Zone

Tropical

Characteristics

Size22–24 cm

Wing Span45–50 cm

Male Weight0.06 kg

Female Weight0.06 kg

Life Expectancy20 years

Ease of Keeping

Beginner friendly: 1/5

Useful to know

Matsudaira's storm petrel is a large, dark storm-petrel of the family Hydrobatidae, formerly placed in the genus Oceanodroma. It breeds on the remote Volcano Islands (Ogasawara), Japan, and disperses widely at sea after breeding. Outside the breeding season it is mostly found in the northwestern Indian Ocean. Its very restricted breeding range makes it vulnerable to disturbances and invasive predators.

Gallery

Behaviour

Temperament

pelagic and wary

Flight Pattern

short rapid wingbeats with glides, often shearing low over waves

Social Behavior

Colonial nester on remote islands, using burrows or rock crevices. Adults visit colonies mainly at night to avoid predators and disturbance. Pairs are monogamous during the season and typically lay a single egg, with both parents sharing incubation and chick-rearing duties.

Migratory Pattern

Seasonal migrant

Song Description

Usually silent at sea, but at colonies gives soft, churring and rattling calls at night. Vocalizations are used for mate recognition and nest-site communication within dark nesting areas.

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Identification

Leg Colorblackish-grey

Eye Colordark brown

Plumage

Mostly sooty-brown to blackish with a smooth, uniform texture and faint pale panels on the upperwings; rump lacks any white patch.

Feeding Habits

Diet

Takes small fish, squid, and crustaceans, especially zooplankton such as copepods and amphipods near the surface. Often picks prey while pattering on the water, snatching items in brief dips. May associate with areas of upwelling and occasionally with predatory fish that drive prey to the surface. Sometimes approaches fishing vessels where offal concentrates food.

Preferred Environment

Feeds over open pelagic waters, especially along current lines, fronts, and slicks where prey aggregates. Rarely approaches coastal waters except near breeding islands.

Population

Total Known Populationunknown

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