View synonyms for

storm petrel

Or storm-petrel

noun

any of several small, tube-nosed seabirds of the family Hydrobatidae, usually having black or sooty-brown plumage with a white rump.

storm petrel

noun

Also called: Mother Carey's chicken.�� stormy petrel.��any small petrel, such as the northern Hydrobates pelagicus, of the family Hydrobatidae, typically having a dark plumage with paler underparts

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Word History and Origins

Origin of storm petrel¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

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Word History and Origins

Origin of storm petrel¹

C19: so named because it was thought to be a harbinger of rough weather

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

With no terrestrial predators to steal their eggs, these islands are breeding sanctuaries for ground- and cliff-nesting seabirds like the western gull, Scripps’s murrelet and the ashy storm petrel.

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To save storm petrels, VanderWerf said, scientists need to act before populations crash.

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To save storm petrels, VanderWerf said, scientists need to act before populations have crashed.

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The white-faced storm petrels at risk there were especially charismatic—they appear to walk on water—and easily gained public support.

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The team also resighted a Leach's storm petrel banded there 31 years ago.

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Stormont storm pit

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