leach's storm petrel
Birds of Namibia
Introduction: Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) inhabit mainly deep ocean in waters from 2,000m to 5,000m depth. This species often sit on the water singly or in small flocks.
Distribution Fairly common off the coast of Namibia. Arrives in mid-November and departs by the end of April.
Diet: Forages by day and night for small fish, planktonic crustaceans, squid and offal. Prey caught by surface-dipping.
Description Fairly large storm-petrel. Oceanodroma is a combination of 2 Greek words. Okeanos is 'the ocean' and dromos means 'running'. Leucorhoa is a Greek reference to the 'white rump'. Head, neck and upper parts are blackish-brown with paler underparts and a blackish forked tail.
Breeding: Breeds on Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Females lay 1 oval, white egg, incubated for up to 42 days.
Size: 20cm. Weight: 50g. Wingspan: 45cm.
Burning Shore Beach Lodge
In the small holiday village of Langstrand, between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, this lodge sprung to prominence when Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt used it as their base for their visit to Namibia
