Oceanitidae – Southern storm-petrels
The fluttery flight makes them unique and different from related families of petrels
The characteristic features of storm petrels are short wings, square tails, tube nostrils, elongated skulls, and weird long legs.
Their size is comparable to that of a little sparrow. The legs are weak and do not adapt to walking on the ground. They can only take a few steps or drag their bodies against the land. They flutter their wings near the water’s surface while keeping their feet steady in the ocean to forage. The nostrils are adapted to survive the maritime lifestyle by secreting the excess salts from the salty water.
Genera in this family
Millions of these birds are taking over almost all the oceans worldwide
