107. Swinhoe's Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma monorhis)

Although Swinhoe's Storm Petrel is very similar in size and morphology to Leach's Storm Petrel, it is told apart by its uniformly dark brown/black plumage with no white rump. This means it could also be confused with Bulwer's Petrel, but Bulwer's is larger with a longer tail generally held in a narrow point, compared with Swinhoe's shorter, forked tail. Swinhoe's Storm Petrel is usually found around East Asia, but it does occasionally turn up elsewhere, in fact I believe that there is one loitering around Fair Isle at this very moment.

Swinhoe's Storm Petrel, ©Francis Yap, used with permission.

Swinhoe's Storm Petrel sketch.

Many thanks to Francis Yap for allowing me to use his great Swinhoe's Storm Petrel photo! Hmm, I got the lower wing a bit too narrow and the body a little chunky in my drawing.