Black-bellied Storm-Petrel vs Bulwer's Petrel

In short

The Black-bellied Storm-Petrel is distinguished by its bold black central belly stripe and longer legs that extend beyond the tail in flight, while Bulwer's Petrel lacks these features and has a more uniform dark plumage. Black-bellied Storm-Petrel is a sub-Antarctic breeder, contrasting with the more tropical distribution of Bulwer's Petrel.

Identification tips

• Look for the bold black central belly stripe on the Black-bellied Storm-Petrel.
• Check for longer legs extending beyond the tail in flight for Black-bellied Storm-Petrel.
• Consider the habitat: colder waters for Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, tropical regions for Bulwer's Petrel.

Plumage

Black-bellied Storm-Petrel shows a bold black central belly stripe and darker upperparts, while Bulwer's Petrel has a more uniform dark plumage without a distinct belly stripe.

Habitat

Black-bellied Storm-Petrel prefers colder waters and is a true sub-Antarctic breeder, whereas Bulwer's Petrel is found in more tropical regions.