Black-bellied Storm Petrel
Black Belly Sea Runner ( Fregetta tropica )
The Black Belly Sea Runner ( Fregetta tropica ) is a species of the family of the petrels. The species occurs only in the southern hemisphere and has a circumpolar distribution.
The IUCN classifies the black belly - sea runner as a uncritical ( least concern ), since the distribution area is very large and has only been a very gradual population decline is observed. The global population is estimated by the IUCN to 500,000 mature individuals.
Appearance
The Black Belly sea runner reaches a body length of up to 20 centimeters, making it one of the medium sized petrels. The wing length is 15.4 to 18.3 inches and the wingspan 45-36 inches. Black Belly sea runners weigh 43-63 grams. The body is overall very compact. The females tend to be slightly larger than the males and have both slightly longer wings and a slightly longer tail.
The head, the neck and the body top, the neck and the front chest and tail are dark brown. The belly is white on the other hand, while the abdomen is feathered dark. The size of the white streak on the belly is individually different. The beak and legs are black, with flying black belly - sea runners feet protrude significantly above the tail out. Young birds are feathered like the adult birds. The flight of the black belly - Sea Runner is erratic zigzag, often touching in flight with his feet the water surface.
Confusion possibilities especially with the belonging to the same genus white-bellied sea runner. In this type, however, extend the feet in the air, fewer far beyond the tail.
Dissemination
The Black Belly sea runner breeds on South Georgia, the South Orkney Islands, the South Shetland Islands, Bouvet Island, the Prince Edward Islands, east of the Crozet Islands, Kerguelen, the Auckland Islands, Bounty Island and the Antipodes. There may also be a small breeding population on the more remote islands of the Falkland Islands. Outside the breeding season they are off the coasts of Brazil, West Africa, the Gulf of Bengal, off the coast of Australia, in the Coral Sea, to observe the coast of the Solomon Islands and the South of Polynesia.
Way of life
The Black Belly sea runner eats plankton that floats on or on the water surface as well as small fish and crustaceans. He studied mainly during the night for food and rarely follows ships. Often it is observed on the high seas in small groups. Near the breeding colonies the swarms are slightly larger.
The Black Belly sea runner is basically a monogamous way that addresses a perennial pair-bonding. He studied only during the night on the country and behaves territorially in the immediate vicinity of its breeding place. Black Belly sea runner breed on screes, where they use small dishes between the broken rocks. Occasionally, they also use nesting tubes, which can be up to fifty centimeters long. The nest consists of a single, white -shelled egg that has small spots at the wider end. The breeding season occurs during the period December to February. The incubation period is 35 to 44 days. The young birds fledge at an age 65-71 days. Both parents birds are equally involved in the breeding and rearing of the young bird.