Tristram's storm petrel or ʻakihikeʻehiʻale is a species of seabird in the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae. The species' common and scientific name is derived from the English clergyman Henry Baker Tristram; the species can also be known as the sooty storm petrel. Tristram's storm petrel has a distribution across the north Pacific Ocean, predominantly in tropical seas.
Region
North Pacific Ocean
Typical Environment
This species ranges widely over tropical to subtropical waters of the North Pacific, with major breeding colonies on low coral islands and atolls, especially in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. At sea it occurs far offshore over deep pelagic waters, often along productive current fronts. It roams broadly outside the breeding season and is rarely observed from land away from colonies. Nesting sites are in sandy or crumbly substrates under low vegetation or rock crevices on predator-free islets. Human disturbance and introduced mammals can severely impact colonies.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 300 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
Tristram's storm petrel, or ʻakihikeʻehiʻale, is a nocturnal, burrow-nesting seabird named after the English clergyman and naturalist Henry Baker Tristram. Unlike many storm-petrels, it lacks a white rump, appearing uniformly sooty-brown in flight. It spends most of its life far from land over warm North Pacific waters, returning to colonies only to breed. Colonies are vulnerable to invasive predators and storm-driven flooding tied to climate change.
Temperament
solitary and nocturnal at colonies
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats with glides over wave troughs
Social Behavior
Breeds in dense colonies but visits nesting grounds primarily at night to avoid predators. Pairs are typically monogamous, laying a single egg in a burrow or crevice. Adults show strong site fidelity, returning to the same burrow in successive years.
Migratory Pattern
Seasonal migrant
Song Description
At colonies it gives low, chattering trills and purring notes, often delivered from within the burrow at night. At sea it is mostly silent, occasionally uttering soft calls in flight during darkness.
