STORM-PETRELS   -   HYDROBATIDAE

Elliot's (White-vented) Storm-Petrel Oceanites gracilis galapagoensis Between Floreana and Isabela islands, Galapagos, Ecuador. Even though this is the most common storm-petrel in Galapagos waters, where it is easily seen even close to shore, the breeding grounds are still unknown! The breeding behavior of the nominate subspecies, which is found mainly of the coasts of Chile and Peru, is also poorly known, with only a few nests ever found on Chile's Isla Chungungo. (S5)

Elliot's (White-vented) Storm-Petrel Oceanites gracilis galapagoensis Bolivar channel, between Isabela & Fernandina, Galapagos, Ecuador. You can see why it is often called White-vented Storm-Petrel here. This bird is also moulting several of its inner primaries. (S5)

Elliot's (White-vented) Storm-Petrel Oceanites gracilis galapagoensis Bolivar channel, between Isabela & Fernandina Islands, Galapagos, Ecuador. This shot shows their distinctive feeding behavior, where they dance over the water, using their long legs and feet to churn up plankton and other small organisms. (S5)

Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma tethys tethys Bolivar channel, between Isabela & Fernandina, Galapagos, Ecuador. The second most common storm-petrel in the Galapagos after Elliot's. (S5)