Swinhoe's storm petrel or Swinhoe's petrel is a small, all-brown seabird of the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae.
Region
Northwest Pacific and northern Indian Ocean
Typical Environment
Breeds on small predator-free islands in the Northwest Pacific around Japan, Korea, northeast China, and the Russian Far East. At sea it frequents open pelagic waters over continental shelf edges and offshore currents. After breeding it disperses widely into the northern Indian Ocean, including the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. It is typically far from land except when breeding, concentrating where upwellings and frontal zones concentrate prey.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Swinhoe's storm petrel is an all-dark, small oceanic seabird that can be confused with Leach’s storm petrel but lacks the white rump and shows only a faint pale upperwing panel. It breeds in burrows or rock crevices on remote islands and visits colonies only at night to avoid predators. Outside the breeding season it ranges widely across the northern Indian Ocean. It can be attracted to lights on ships and coastal settlements during dark, overcast nights.
Temperament
pelagic and elusive; colonial at breeding sites
Flight Pattern
buoyant, bounding flight with quick wingbeats and short glides; capable of dynamic soaring in strong winds
Social Behavior
Breeds colonially in burrows or rock crevices, visiting colonies strictly at night. Pairs are typically monogamous, laying a single egg with shared incubation and chick-rearing. Adults commute between feeding grounds and colonies over long distances.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
Usually silent at sea. At night in colonies, gives low, chattering trills and purring calls from burrow entrances.
