Black-bellied Storm-Petrel

They are usually black with a white band over the rump and white under the wings and on the flanks. A broad black stripe runs down the center of the belly, but may be broken or absent altogether. They have long legs, so the feet can be seen beyond the tail in flight. The legs and feet are black. This bird has a distinctive way of flying; it slaps its belly against the water and changes direction by kicking its feet. Furthermore, all members of the genus Fregetta feed in an unusual manner, bouncing off the waves using a single foot in an asymmetrical bounding motion. They are silent mostly at sea. Noises can be heard from the breeding colonies; birds on the ground give a drawn-out shrill whistle. The black-bellied storm petrel and the white-bellied storm petrel (Fregetta grallaria) are closely related. In addition to the differing colours, the black-bellied storm petrel has longer legs, and prefers a more southern, colder habitat.

The black-bellied storm petrel inhabits cold sub-Antarctic seas. Some individuals migrate further north in winter (generally from May to August). Its global population was estimated at approximately 500,000 individuals in 2004. The black-bellied storm petrel has a large range and can be found across Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Bouvet Island, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Madagascar, Mozambique, New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Saint Helena, São Tomé and Príncipe, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.