Black storm-petrel Oceanodroma melania

Identification Tips:

• Sexes similar
• Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
• Large-sized storm-petrel
• Dark bill with tube on top
• Dark plumage
• Dark rump
• Forked tail
• Deep, steady wingbeats

Similar species:

Most likely to be confused with other storm petrels. Ashy is smaller with shallower wingbeats. Least is much smaller with more rapid wingbeats and a wedge-shaped tail. Other species have white rumps.