Swinhoe's Storm Petrel

Hydrobates monorhis

Malay name: Lelayang-Laut Kelam Asia · Chinese name: 黑叉尾海燕

Family: Northern Storm Petrels · Status: Common migrant · Size: 20 cm · Conservation: Near Threatened

Range

Breeds on offshore islands of temperate Northeast Asia from eastern China to Korea and Japan, passing through the South China Sea in fall and spring to winter in the Indian Ocean.

Identification

Small size, forked tail and overall sooty brown plumage with contrasting paler diagonal bar across upperwing-coverts.

Habitat

Open seas.

Behaviour

Usually observed in small groups during migration, flying and gliding just above the water surface.