Photo: JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) / CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Wilson’s Storm Petrel
Oceanites oceanicus
Wilson's Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) is a member of the Oceanitidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 30.4 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Procellariiformes
- Family Oceanitidae Austral Storm Petrels
- Genus Oceanites
- Species oceanicus
Where it lives
Islets in southern Chilean fjords and Cape Horn Arch.; many is., coasts and inland sites in Antarctica; Falklands, South Georgia, Crozet, Heard, Kerguelen (southwest to southeastern Indian Ocean) and Macquarie is. (far southeast of Australia)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 30.4 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Oceanitidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Critically Endangered
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) is a species of bird in the Oceanitidae family, part of the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers SO islets in s Chilean fjords and Cape Horn Arch.; many is., coasts and inland sites in Antarctica; Falklands, South Georgia, Crozet, Heard, Kerguelen (sw to se Indian Ocean) and Macquarie is. (far se of Australia).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 30.4 g, with a wing length of about 14.7 cm and a tail of around 6.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 29,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Wilson’s Storm Petrel?
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel is a small bird that weighs around 30.4 g.
Where does the Wilson’s Storm Petrel live?
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering SO islets in s Chilean fjords and Cape Horn Arch.; many is., coasts and inland sites in Antarctica; Falklands, South Georgia, Crozet, Heard, Kerguelen (sw to se Indian Ocean) and Macquarie is. (far se of Australia), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Wilson’s Storm Petrel belong to?
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) belongs to the Oceanitidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Wilson’s Storm Petrel eat?
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Wilson’s Storm Petrel migrate?
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel is migratory, making regular seasonal journeys between its breeding and non-breeding ranges.
Is the Wilson’s Storm Petrel endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Wilson’s Storm Petrel make?
1 real field recording of the Wilson’s Storm Petrel — including its alarm call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Wilson’s Storm Petrel's range?
The Wilson’s Storm Petrel has a mapped global range of about 29,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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