Head to head
Black-bellied Storm-petrel vs Wilson's Storm-petrel
Black-bellied Storm-petrel
VS Wilson's Storm-petrel
Both storm-petrels patter their feet across the water to feed, but differ enormously in abundance and how far south each is willing to forage.
| Black-bellied Storm-petrel | Wilson's Storm-petrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Fregetta tropica | Oceanites oceanicus |
| Size | One of the larger storm-petrel species | Sparrow-sized, among the smallest seabirds |
| Belly pattern | A dark stripe down an otherwise white belly | Not documented as having a belly stripe |
| Global abundance | Not documented as exceptionally abundant | Possibly the most numerous seabird on Earth |
| Foraging range | Often near the edge of the Antarctic sea ice | Nearly every ocean worldwide |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Stable | Stable |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean, polar |
Black-bellied Storm-petrel vs Wilson's Storm-petrel: common questions
Which one might be the most numerous seabird on Earth?
Wilson's storm-petrel is considered a strong candidate for this title, with an estimated population in the tens of millions, far exceeding what is documented for the black-bellied storm-petrel.
Which one has a distinctive dark belly stripe?
The black-bellied storm-petrel has this feature, a dark stripe running down an otherwise white belly, a marking not present on Wilson's storm-petrel.
Which one forages closest to the Antarctic sea ice?
The black-bellied storm-petrel often forages closest to the ice edge, ranging further south than many relatives, though Wilson's storm-petrel also breeds on the Antarctic continent itself before dispersing worldwide.