Tristram's Storm Petrel
Hydrobates tristrami
褐翅叉尾海燕
Introduction
A seabird in the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae. It has a distribution across the north Pacific Ocean, predominantly in tropical seas. This is the largest member of the storm petrel family and feeds primarily on small cephalopods. The species is colonial, nesting in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and several small islands south of Japan including the Bonin Islands and Izu. Colonies are attended at night and breeding occurs during winter. The species is considered near threatened.
Description
The largest storm petrel species, with a body length of 24.5 to 27 cm, a wingspan of 54 to 57 cm, and body mass of 71 to 120 g. It has long, angular wings and entirely dark plumage with a slightly pale rump. A pale grey bar crosses the upper wing. The bill is stout, an adaptation for its cephalopod-focused diet.
Identification
Larger than other storm petrels with its dark plumage, pale rump, and distinctive pale grey wing bar. The stout bill distinguishes it from similar species and indicates its specialization in cephalopod prey.
Distribution & Habitat
Breeds in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and on small islands south of Japan, including the Bonin Islands and Izu Islands. At sea, it is pelagic across the north Pacific Ocean, particularly in tropical waters. All Hawaiian breeding colonies are protected areas.
Behavior & Ecology
Colonial breeder that attends colonies only at night. Breeding occurs during winter months. Forages on squid and fish in open ocean waters. No specific vocalization details provided.
Conservation
Classified as Near Threatened. All Hawaiian breeding colonies fall within protected areas. The species experienced population declines due to introduced rats on Torishima Island. A 21st-century study documented plastic ingestion in individuals at Tern Island in the French Frigate Shoals.
Culture
Named after Reverend Henry Baker Tristram, an English clergyman and natural history specimen collector who collected specimens and whose collection was purchased by Liverpool Museum. No folklore or cultural significance documented.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Family
- Hydrobatidae
- Genus
- Hydrobates
- eBird Code
- trspet
Distribution
breeds Izu, Bonin, and formerly Volcano Islands (southern Japan), and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands; ranges eastern coastal waters of Japan and eastward to Kauai (Hawaii)
Data Sources
Species description from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Taxonomy data from AviList 2025.