Storm-Petrels: Hydrobatidae - Physical Characteristics, Diet, Behavior And Reproduction, Wilson's Storm-petrel (oceanites Oceanicus): Species Account - GEOGRAPHIC RANGE, HABITAT, STORM-PETRELS AND PEOPLE, CONSERVATION STATUS

Though distributed throughout the world, storm-petrels are particularly plentiful in the Southern Ocean. While most species breed around Australasia (Australia and nearby Asian islands), five assemble around islands from Mexico to California. The birds can be found in all ocean waters.

Because they are small and dart around so quickly, it is difficult to identify the storm-petrel, so its habitats are not well known. All storm-petrels live solely in the ocean and retreat to land only during breeding season.

Seamen and fishermen have traditionally caught storm-petrels and used them as bait. This was easy to do since the birds tend to gather around fishing vessels. Native Americans were known to eat storm-petrels.

No storm-petrel is threatened, although a few of the harder-to-track species need further investigation. Predators have wiped out entire colonies, but this has not yet threatened the species.