European Storm Petrel

European Storm Petrels are pelagic, spending the majority of their lives at sea, only coming ashore to breed. They inhabit the North Atlantic Ocean, from the coasts of Europe to western Africa, favoring open ocean away from the continental shelf. These birds are highly adapted to a life spent on the wing, with their feet positioned far back on their body, aiding in their unique flight but making them awkward on land.

The diet of the European Storm Petrel consists mainly of planktonic crustaceans, small fish, and squid, which they pick from the ocean's surface at night. They are known to follow ships and use the cover of darkness to feed on the small organisms disturbed by the ship's passage, showcasing their opportunistic feeding habits.

Reproduction for the European Storm Petrel involves nesting in colonies on remote islands, where they lay a single white egg in burrows or crevices among rocks. Both parents share the responsibility of incubation, which lasts about 40 to 60 days. The nocturnal habits of these birds continue into their breeding cycle, with adults only visiting the nests under the cover of darkness to avoid predation.

The population of the European Storm Petrel is considered stable, though they face threats from introduced predators on breeding islands, pollution, and climate change, which can affect their food supply. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their breeding sites, controlling invasive species on these islands, and monitoring population trends to ensure the sustainability of this remarkable seabird species.