A new species of Storm Petrel was Identified which belongs to the austral storm petrels genus Fregetta and is endemic to New Caledonia (French territory in the South Pacific).
- The population of the New Caledonian storm petrel (Fregetta lineata) is in the order of 100-1,000 pairs and almost certainly globally threatened.
About Storm petrels
- Storm petrels are about 20 species of seabirds in the family Hydrobatidae, or sometimes considered as Oceanitidae, part of the order Procellariiformes.
- Ranging in length from about 13 to 25 cm (5.1-9.8 inches), these smallest of seabirds are dark gray or brown, sometimes lighter below, and often with a white rump.
- True seabirds, storm petrels spend most of their time out at sea and only return to land to breed.
- They feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish picked from the surface, typically while hovering. The flight is fluttering and sometimes bat-like
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