Mediterranean Storm Petrel
Scientific Name: Hydrobates (pelagicus) melitensisMaltese Name: Kangu ta' Filfla
Family: Petrels and shearwaters (Hydrobatidae)
Occurence: Summer Visitor, Localised Breeder
Breeds in Malta: Yes
Breeding Frequency: 2 Colonies
Overview:
The storm petrel is a small, black sea-bird with a white rump, Its webbed-feet and beak(with external nostrils) are black as well. This species, like many other Petrel Species, approaches land only during its breeding season at night. It spends most of its life feeding on aquatic animals, plants and small fish out at sea. Its breeding season starts in late March when it starts to get closer to land, it lays a single egg in May/June in a crack or hole in rocks. The young fledges in July/August and it immediatley abandons the colony and ventures out at sea.
Status and Distribution:
The Storm Petrel is very localised in the Maltese Islands, breeding only in 2 localities; the largest colony of about 5 to 8 thousand pairs on the island of Filfla, and a much smaller colony at Ta' Cenc with about 25 to 30 pairs. The colony at Filfla is very healthy and important, with it being the largest one in the Mediterranean.
When to See:
Summer
Where to See:
Rarely seen due to it approaching land only at night. Occasionally seen feeding out at sea.
Photographs:
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Storm Petrel, offshore Malta |
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| Adult Storm Petrel Incubating, Filfa Island | Storm Petrel Chick, Filfa Island |
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Storm Petrels, offshore Malta |
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Very Young Storm Petrel Chick, Filfla Island |
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Partial Albino Storm Petrel, 31st May 2001, Filfla Island |
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