Field Guide for all the Birds of North America
Storm-Petrels
Océanites
Hydrobatidae & Oceanitidae
Information, images and range maps on over 1,000 birds of North America, including sub-species, vagrants, introduced birds and possibilities
There are at least 14 types of storm-petrels seen in the ocean waters surrounding North America. Half of these
storm-petrels are vagrant birds that were blown off course in strong winds or ocean storms. These are the
smallest pelagic seabird species seen on the seas and can be compared to being a bit larger than the Purple
Martin. These active birds are seen hopping and fluttering along the water surfaces picking up small prey
and bits of food.
Of these fourteen bird species, one would expect to see the uncommon White-faced Storm-Petrel, Leach's Storm-Petrel, Wilson's Storm-Petrel and the Band-rumped Storm-Petrel, in areas of the Atlantic Ocean. In the Pacific Ocean, one would expect to see the Ashy Storm-Petrel, Black Storm-Petrel, Least Storm-Petrel and the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel.
References to Other Bird Sites:
Avibase - the world bird database This site provides the user with a complete list of bird species, broken down per country, or in the example of the US or Canada, per state and province. Here, bird species names are available in other languages, a great asset to be used as a translation of foreign bird names.
ABA - American Birding Association This site represents an organization that maintains official records of all birds species that have been proven to have been seen inside the perimeters of the North American Continent and the surrounding bodies of water. Regular revised versions are posted to keep the bird list current at all times. This is the list used by all serious birders over their lifetime. You may be aware of the movie called the "Big Year". It was with this list that all the competing birders used in an attempt to set a new record as to how many bird species that could be seen by an individual birder in one calendar year.
I hope you will take advantage of these suggested websites. I have used each of them, in one way or another, throughout the years in my quest to better identify and understand our fine feathered friends.
