The British storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus) is a small seabird found in the North Atlantic Ocean. It is a member of the petrel family, and is closely related to the Leach's storm petrel. The British storm petrel is a migratory bird, and spends the winter in the North Atlantic and the summer in the British Isles.
The British storm petrel is a small bird, with a wingspan of about 20 cm (7.9 in). It has a dark brown back and wings, and a white underbelly. The bird has a long, slender beak and a forked tail.
British storm petrels are found in the open ocean, and they feed on small fish, crustaceans, and plankton. They forage for food by flying low over the water and dipping their beaks into the surface.
British storm petrels are monogamous birds, and the male and female work together to build a nest. The nest is usually built in a rock crevice or under a boulder. The female lays a single egg, which she incubates for about 40 days. The male helps to feed the young bird, which fledges from the nest after about 50 days.
The British storm petrel is a long-lived bird, and can live for up to 30 years.
Habitat and distribution
The British storm petrel is found in the North Atlantic Ocean, from the coast of North America to the coast of Europe. It is most common in the British Isles, where it breeds on islands such as St Kilda and the Hebrides.
The British storm petrel is a pelagic bird, meaning that it spends most of its time at sea. It comes to land only to breed.
Diet
The British storm petrel feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and plankton. It forages for food by flying low over the water and dipping its beak into the surface.
The British storm petrel is also known to follow ships and eat the food scraps that are thrown overboard.
Breeding
The British storm petrel is a monogamous bird, and the male and female work together to build a nest. The nest is usually built in a rock crevice or under a boulder. The female lays a single egg, which she incubates for about 40 days. The male helps to feed the young bird, which fledges from the nest after about 50 days.
The British storm petrel breeds on islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, such as St Kilda and the Hebrides.
Conservation
The British storm petrel is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, its population is declining, and it is listed as a Near Threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The British storm petrel is threatened by a number of factors, including habitat loss, pollution, and climate change.
How to help British storm petrels
There are a number of things that people can do to help British storm petrels, including:
Reducing their carbon footprint. Climate change is a major threat to the British storm petrel, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can help to mitigate this threat.
Reducing pollution. Pollution can contaminate the food and water that British storm petrels rely on. Reducing pollution can help to improve the health of British storm petrels and their habitat.
Supporting marine conservation organizations. There are a number of organizations that are working to protect the British storm petrel and its habitat. Supporting these organizations can help to make a difference.
The British storm petrel in culture
The British storm petrel is a popular bird in British culture, and it has been featured in many poems, songs, and stories.
One of the most famous poems about the British storm petrel is "The Storm Petrel" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. In this poem, Tennyson describes the British storm petrel as a "darkling guest" of the ocean, and he compares it to a spirit that haunts the waves.
Another famous poem about the British storm petrel is "The Petrel" by John Keats. In this poem, Keats describes the British storm petrel as a "thing of beauty," and he marvels at its ability to fly through the wildest storms.
The British storm petrel has also been featured in many songs, including "The Storm Petrel" by Ralph Vaughan Williams and "The Petrel" by David Bowie.
In stories, the British storm petrel is often used as a symbol of the wildness and beauty of the ocean. For example, in the story "The Old Man and the Sea" by Ernest Hemingway, the British storm petrel is a symbol of hope and endurance for the old man.
