Guide to North American Birds

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Until the late 1970s, this species was considered an accidental visitor to North America, with a few having been found inland after hurricanes. With increased surveys offshore, it has proven to be a regular visitor far off our southern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. It may have been overlooked in the past because of its great similarity to Leach's Storm-Petrel.
Family Northern Storm-Petrels
Until the late 1970s, this species was considered an accidental visitor to North America, with a few having been found inland after hurricanes. With increased surveys offshore, it has proven to be a regular visitor far off our southern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. It may have been overlooked in the past because of its great similarity to Leach's Storm-Petrel.

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Illustration © David Allen Sibley.
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Text © Kenn Kaufman, adapted from
Lives of North American Birds

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Songs and Calls

Usually silent at sea.
Audio © Lang Elliott, Bob McGuire, Kevin Colver, Martyn Stewart and others.
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Explore Similar Birds

Wilson's Storm-Petrel

Latin:  Oceanites oceanicus

Ashy Storm-Petrel

Latin:  Hydrobates homochroa

Leach's Storm-Petrel

Latin:  Hydrobates leucorhous

Black Storm-Petrel

Latin:  Hydrobates melania

Least Storm-Petrel

Latin:  Hydrobates microsoma

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