This rare visitor off the Atlantic Coast is distinguished by its unique shape, pattern and feeding behavior. Compared to other storm-petrels, the wings are rather short and broad, and the bill is long. The back and upperwing coverts are pale gray-brown, while the flight feathers and tail are darker. The rump is pale grayish. The head is distinctly marked with a dark crown, white face, and dark mask through the eyes. The underparts, including the underwing coverts, are white, with a dark smudge on the sides of the breast. The legs are extremely long, extending past the tail in flight. The legs and toes are dark, but the webbing between the toes is yellow.

Length: 19 (cm) Wingspan: 41 (cm)

Habitat:

Open ocean over the continental shelf.

Behavior:

This species flies with stiff, shallow wing beats. Unique feeding behavior includes using exceptionally long legs to kangaroo hop off the surface of the water with legs dangling in between each kick off of the surface.

Feeding:

Feeds on marine invertebrates.