|
Band-rumped Storm-petrel photographed by Scott
Spangenberg on Cape Hatteras pelagic.6/6/04. All
photographs remain the property of the photographer. |
Band-rumped Storm-petrel
Oceanodroma castro |
Other names
Madeiran Storm-petrel is probably a newer name for
this bird. Expect boat announcers to call it Band-rumped
for some time. Reference
Only and Scofield (23) use the name Madeiran
Storm-petrel.
Distribution
"An abundant storm-petrel ....occurring in the
Atlantic and Pacific in both tropical and sub-tropical
waters." (23-p. 228 ) In the Atlantic breeds
on islets off St. Helena, Boatswainbird I. (near
Ascension) , Cape Verde, Canary Islands. Two peaks of
breeding activity June-September and January-May. (23)
indicate it is a candidate for two subspecies.
Where To See
The August 2004 BBC canyons trip identified one
Band-rumped Storm-petrel. Several were seen on the
July 19, 2008 trip, all in warm water. More commonly seen on
pelagic trips from North Carolina. Not seen near
the coast.
Behavior
Patters feet on surface of water when feeding.
Feeds alone or in small groups. Attracted to chum and
perhaps fish oil.
According to Marshall Illif, often on the outside of
small groups of WSP and the first to fly when boat
approaches. Look for a larger storm-petrel on
outside of group.
Identification
New England
birders need to separate Band-rumped from Wilson's and
Leach's Storm-petrels.
Leach's and Band-rumped
are both larger than Wilson's Storm-petrel. Wilson's
feet trail behind tail and photographs may show the
yellow webs between the toes.
Tail
is not notched as in the Leach's Storm-petrel.
Photographs can show the white rump wrapped around the
sides of the rump.
|
Band-rumped Storm-petrel photographed by Scott
Spangenber on
7/19/2008 BBC Continental Shelf edge pelagic
trip to Atlantis Canyon. Note that the
legs do not extend beyond the tail and white
rump wraps around sides. Also the bill appears
to be bulkier than that of the Leach's or
Wilson's. Super picture of
a hard to photograph bird Scott. Thanks
for sharing. |
Reference for this
page: Albatrosses, Petrels
& Shearwaters of the World by Derek Onley and Paul
Scofield Page author: Emmalee
Tarry |
