storm petrel

or storm-petrel

noun

1. any of several small, tube-nosed seabirds of the family Hydrobatidae, usually having black or sooty-brown plumage with a white rump.

storm petrel

noun

1. any small petrel, such as the northern Hydrobates pelagicus, of the family Hydrobatidae, typically having a dark plumage with paler underparts Also calledMother Carey's chickenstormy petrel

Word History and Origins

Origin of storm petrel¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Word History and Origins

Origin of storm petrel¹

C19: so named because it was thought to be a harbinger of rough weather

Example Sentences

With no terrestrial predators to steal their eggs, these islands are breeding sanctuaries for ground- and cliff-nesting seabirds like the western gull, Scripps’s murrelet and the ashy storm petrel.

From Los Angeles Times

To save storm petrels, VanderWerf said, scientists need to act before populations crash.

From Washington Post

To save storm petrels, VanderWerf said, scientists need to act before populations have crashed.

From Seattle Times

The white-faced storm petrels at risk there were especially charismatic—they appear to walk on water—and easily gained public support.

From Scientific American

The team also resighted a Leach's storm petrel banded there 31 years ago.

From Salon