White-faced Storm-Petrel vs Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel

In short

The White-faced Storm-Petrel is best identified by its distinctive white face with a dark cap and eye patch, combined with its unique pogo-stick flight pattern. In contrast, the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel is recognized by its bluish-gray plumage and forked tail, often seen hovering or pattering at the water's surface.

Identification tips

• Look for the white face and dark cap of the White-faced Storm-Petrel.
• Note the forked tail and bluish-gray color of the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel.
• Observe flight behavior: pogo-stick for White-faced, hovering/pattering for Fork-tailed.
• Consider the location: offshore for White-faced, coastal for Fork-tailed.

Size

Both species are small seabirds, but the Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel is slightly larger and more robust than the White-faced Storm-Petrel.

Plumage

The White-faced Storm-Petrel has a white head with a dark cap and eye patch, brown upperparts, and white underparts. The Fork-tailed Storm-Petrel is bluish-gray overall, resembling prions, with a distinctive forked tail.

Behaviour

White-faced Storm-Petrels exhibit a unique pogo-stick flight, pushing off the water's surface with their feet. Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels hover and patter at the water's surface, often following ships.

Habitat

White-faced Storm-Petrels are found well offshore, breeding on remote islands in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Fork-tailed Storm-Petrels are more coastal, often seen near continental shelf waters in the North Pacific.