Occurrence of Leach’s Storm-petrel Hydrobates leucorhous near the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, Brazil

Abstract

Storm-petrels demonstrate complex spatial dynamics, with some species moving among continents. We report a sighting of a Leach’s Storm-petrel Hydrobates leucorhous, recorded on a scientific expedition near the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA), the smallest Brazilian oceanic islands. Our species identification was based on A) morphological characteristics (plumage pattern and pronounced forked tail), B) other records of this species surrounding the SPSPA, and C) tracking studies of the at-sea distribution of this species, especially that of North Atlantic populations that cross equatorial regions during their migration and non-breeding periods. This report comprises the second of two documented accounts of Leach’s Storm-petrel in SPSPA waters. These records highlight knowledge gaps in the spatial dynamics of seabird species, an increased understanding of which might provide novel insights into species biogeography.