Elliot's Storm Petrel

Oceanites gracilis (Elliot, DG, 1859)

Elliot's Storm Petrel, Oceanites gracilis, is a seabird of the Pacific Ocean, breeding on Chungunga Island off central Chile and probably also in the Galápagos. Outside the breeding season it ranges through the Humboldt Current from Ecuador to central Chile and around the Galápagos. It belongs to the storm petrel family Oceanitidae. The bird is known for its sooty-black plumage, white rump and a white stripe across the lower belly that continues up the centre of the underside. Its long legs project beyond the body in flight.

Order

Procellariiformes

Family

Oceanitidae — Austral Storm Petrels

Breeding range

Pacific Ocean: Chungunga I. (Coquimbo, c Chile) at least; probably also Galápagos

Nonbreeding range

Humboldt Current from Ecuador to c Chile and Galápagos