Order: Procellariiformes
Family: Oceanitidae
Wilson’s Storm-Petrel is a small, dark seabird with a distinctive white rump and long legs. It is renowned for its graceful, fluttering flight just above the ocean surface. This species breeds on Antarctic coasts and islands, then disperses widely across the southern oceans, including the waters off Patagonia. Despite its tiny size, it undertakes remarkable long-distance migrations. Its unique foraging behavior involves pattering its feet on the water while picking up plankton and small invertebrates. Wilson’s Storm-Petrel is often seen far from land, even in stormy conditions, and is a familiar sight to sailors and researchers in southern seas.
Habitat
Open ocean, especially cold southern waters near Antarctica and off the Patagonian coast.
Foraging
Feeds by pattering on the water’s surface, picking plankton, small crustaceans, and fish from the waves.