The Pincoya storm petrel is a sea bird of the storm petrel family. The specific name commemorates the Pincoya, a female water spirit of the Chilote mythology. After being first brought to the attention of the world from photographs taken by Seamus Enright and Michael O'Keeffe in 2009 this species was finally formally discovered and examined in 2011 and scientifically described in 2013. It is known "only from waters near Chiloé Island, Chile".
Region
Southeast Pacific off southern Chile
Typical Environment
Observed mainly around the Chiloé Archipelago, including the Gulfs of Ancud and Corcovado and adjacent channels and sounds. It favors productive, cool-temperate waters influenced by local upwelling and tidal fronts. Birds often gather along convergence lines, tidelines, and inshore rips where prey concentrates. Occasional records suggest it can range modest distances offshore, but it remains strongly associated with the inner seas of southern Chile.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 50 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Described to science in 2013, this small storm petrel was first recognized from photos taken near Chiloé Island, southern Chile. Its breeding sites remain unknown, but it is regularly encountered in nearby inland seas and coastal waters. The name honors the Pincoya, a female water spirit from Chilote mythology.
Temperament
pelagic and wary
Flight Pattern
buoyant, fluttering flight with short rapid wingbeats; often patters on the water surface
Social Behavior
Typically seen singly or in small loose groups at sea, occasionally aggregating where prey is abundant. Breeding is presumed colonial on islets or headlands, with nocturnal visits to nest sites as in other storm-petrels. Pairs are likely monogamous with burrow or crevice nesting, though exact sites remain undiscovered.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
At sea mostly silent. Around breeding areas (presumed), likely emits thin, chittering trills and purring calls typical of Oceanites storm-petrels.
Plumage
Upperparts dark soot-brown to blackish with a conspicuous white rump band; underparts largely white with duskier throat and sides of breast forming a partial pectoral band. Underwings mostly white with contrasting dark margins and carpal bar; tail square to slightly notched. Feathers appear matte with subtle sheen in fresh plumage.
Diet
Feeds on small pelagic crustaceans such as copepods and amphipods, and takes tiny fish and other zooplankton at the surface. Often forages along slicks and frontal lines where prey is concentrated by currents. Will occasionally attend fishing vessels to pick at offal or oily residues, though it mainly gleans natural prey from the surface.
Preferred Environment
Forages in nearshore channels, inner gulfs, and coastal waters with strong tidal mixing and upwelling. Frequently works along tidelines and eddies, hovering and pattering to pick prey.
