© Luke Seitz
© Andrew Dreelin
© Derek Rogers
© Jonah Benningfield

White-faced Storm-Petrel Pelagodroma marina

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Identification

POWERED BY MERLIN

Striking white-bodied storm-petrel with distinctive flight style: glides on stiff wings and bounces across the sea surface with both feet, much like a hopping kangaroo. Plumage also unique; look for mostly white face with dark mask. Also note extremely long legs projecting far beyond tail and rather long, slender bill. Fairly common and widespread in subtropical and tropical waters across the globe, with several disjunct and subtly variable populations. Can be seen singly or in groups when feeding; rarely mixes with other species of storm-petrel.

POWERED BY MERLIN