White-bellied storm petrel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-bellied storm petrel |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| White-bellied storm petrel near Lord Howe Island | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Fregetta
|
| Species: |
grallaria
|
The white-bellied storm petrel (Fregetta grallaria) is a small seabird. It belongs to the family Oceanitidae. These birds live in many parts of the world. You can find them in places like Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, and South Africa. They love to live in the open sea.
Contents
Different Types of White-bellied Storm Petrels
Scientists divide the white-bellied storm petrel into different groups. These groups are called subspecies. They are all very similar but have small differences.
- F. g. grallaria (Vieillot, 1818) – This type lives in the western Pacific Ocean. They breed on Lord Howe Island and Kermadec Islands.
- F. g. leucogaster (Gould, 1844) – This type lives in the South Atlantic and South Indian Oceans. They breed on Tristan da Cunha, Gough Island, and Saint Paul Island.
- F. g. segethi (R. A. Philippi [Krumwiede] & Landbeck, 1860) – This type lives in the southeastern Pacific Ocean. They breed on Juan Fernández Island and Desventuradas Islands.
- F. g. titan (Murphy, 1928) – This type lives in the South Pacific Ocean. They breed on Rapa Island.
It can be hard to tell these birds apart. They look very similar to other black and white storm petrels. Scientists are still studying them. They want to learn more about how these groups are related.
What They Look Like
The white-bellied storm petrel is a small bird. It is about 18 to 20 centimeters (7 to 8 inches) long. Its wings can spread out 46 to 48 centimeters (18 to 19 inches).
These birds have dark feathers on their backs. Their bellies are white, just like their name says. Some birds might have darker bellies. They have a thin black beak and a square tail. Their legs are long, like stilts. Their toes usually do not stick out past their tail. Young birds and adult birds look the same. Males and females also look alike.
Sounds They Make
White-bellied storm petrels are usually quiet when they are flying over the sea. They make sounds when they are on land, especially near their nests. Their voice is described as soft and high-pitched. It sounds like "pee-pee-pee-pee" repeated many times.
Where They Live and Travel
White-bellied storm petrels live across the Southern Hemisphere. This includes the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. They spend most of their lives far out at sea.
They are native to many countries. These include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, and New Zealand. Sometimes, they visit other places like Angola or the Maldives.
How They Behave
These birds spend most of their time far from land. They are not often seen by people. Because of this, we do not know much about their daily lives. They only come to land when they need to breed. They usually do this at night.
When they fly, they glide low over the water. They often dip their feet into the water to feed. They might even walk on the water's surface. Sometimes, they feed with other seabirds. They have also been seen following ships.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
White-bellied storm petrels build their nests on islands and rocky places. They make their nests in cracks and burrows. They line their nests with grass.
They usually breed in late summer and early autumn. This means they lay eggs between January and March. The young birds are ready to fly from mid-April to May. A female bird usually lays only one white egg. The egg might have light red, brown, or pink spots.
Both parents feed the young birds. The parents spend the day at sea. They come back to the nest at night to feed their chicks. Scientists think these birds can live for about 30 years.
What They Eat
White-bellied storm petrels eat small sea creatures. Their diet includes small crustaceans (like tiny crabs or shrimp), small squid, and sea skaters. They catch their food by skimming over the water. They dip down to grab food near the surface. Both parents feed their young with crustaceans and squid.
Migration
Scientists are still learning about how these birds move. Some say they do not migrate much. Others say they travel long distances. It is thought they might move north for some time. Their exact movements at sea are not fully known. They can travel thousands of kilometers.
How Many There Are
It is hard to count how many white-bellied storm petrels there are. The information we have is not perfect. In 2004, one scientist thought there were about 300,000 of them worldwide. This number is likely going down. This is because of animals that hunt them in places where they breed.
For example, about 1,000 pairs breed in the Lord Howe Island area. But they no longer live on the main Lord Howe Island.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List says the white-bellied storm petrel is of "Least Concern." This means they are not in immediate danger of disappearing. This is based on how wide their range is and their population size.
However, in New Zealand, they are considered "nationally endangered." In Australia, they are listed as "vulnerable." This means they need protection. Laws are in place to help them. For example, in New South Wales, Australia, they are listed as vulnerable.
It is important to protect all breeding groups. This will help them survive for a long time.
Threats to Their Survival
Seabirds like the white-bellied storm petrel face many dangers. They live a long time and have few babies. This makes them sensitive to changes in their environment.
Here are some of the main threats:
- Fishing: They can get caught in fishing nets.
- Ocean pollution: Plastic and other trash in the ocean can harm them. They might eat plastic, which can make them sick.
- New animals: Animals like cats and rats have been brought to their breeding islands. These animals hunt the birds and their eggs. This is why they disappeared from the main Lord Howe Island.
- Habitat loss: Their breeding places can be damaged or lost.
- Human activity: People disturbing their nests or bright lights from ships can confuse them.
Scientists have found harmful metals like mercury in some of these birds. This can make them sick.
Climate Change Effects
The ocean is getting warmer because of climate change. This can change where the birds' food lives. If their food moves, it can be harder for them to find enough to eat. This can make it harder for them to have healthy babies.
The white-bellied storm petrel is very sensitive to climate change. This is especially true when they are breeding. Their small population and slow breeding make them more at risk. Scientists worry that some groups might disappear from their homes.
What We Can Do to Help
Experts have suggested important steps to protect seabirds:
- Protect their homes: We need to set aside special areas where they breed and feed. These are called Marine Protected Areas.
- Remove harmful animals: Get rid of animals like rats and cats from their breeding islands. This helps the birds and their babies survive.
- Reduce fishing harm: Work with fishing boats to make sure fewer birds get caught by accident.
See also
In Spanish: Golondrina de mar de vientre blanco para niños
