A rare winged visitor spotted off Kerala coast

Swinhoe’s storm-petrel found during oceanic expedition

Swinhoe's storm-petrel, a bird species reportedly new to the Indian coast, was spotted in an oceanic bird expedition conducted off Chavakkad on Sunday.

A photograph of the “fully migrant” bird, along with that of a Wilson's storm-petrel, could be obtained during the survey 30 km off Chavakkad, ornithologists said.

The birds earlier reported to be found in the country had been those caught in strong oceanic winds and blown ashore, said P.O. Nameer, State-level coordinator of the Indian Bird Conservation Network. Such wind-blown birds were reported from the Lakshadweep and Andaman Islands and Sri Lanka. This time, however, the sighting was over the interior sea along with other birds.

According to information available with the Birdlife International, occurrence status of the species in India is unknown. The species breeds on Verkhovsky Island, south of Vladivostok, Russia, and Japan. There are little-known populations in China, North Korea, and South Korea, and records suggest breeding may possibly occur in the North Atlantic. In winter, it migrates south and west to the northern Indian Ocean, according to documents.

Considering its very large range, the conservation status of the bird is evaluated as of least concern. Its population is believed to be stable in the absence of evidence of any decline or substantial threats.

The bird is slightly bigger than a mynah. This seabird can be found over pelagic and inshore waters. The birds are known to be breeding on oceanic islands. It feeds mainly on the wing by dipping and do not patter. Breeding starts in April, forming loose colonies on offshore islands in burrows, according to the Birdlife International.

“The bird stands out from the Wilson's storm-petrel with its notched tail and absence of white colour on its rump. The body of the bird is pale brown in colour. It was spotted along with two Wilson's storm petrels,” J. Praveen, a member of the survey team, said.

The survey also recorded more than 1,000 flesh-footed shearwaters. These birds follow fishing boats to feed on the by-catch thrown into the sea by fishermen. Hence, most of the birds congregate near fishing boats for feeding on mackerels and sardines. They breed on the islets of southern oceans and migrate towards India to spend the summer in the warm tropical waters, experts said.

The common oceanic birds of the west coast namely sooty terns and bridled terns were photographed during the survey. Nearly 20 bird enthusiasts joined the sea expedition for the survey, held during the peak monsoon season. Earlier, oceanic surveys were held off the coasts of Kannur and Vadakara. Such exercises will be held in Kochi and Vizhinjam shortly. The survey was co-organised by the Indian Bird Conservation Network, the Cochin Natural History Society, and the Nature Education Society of Thrissur.