Petrel, << PEHT ruhl, >> is one of a large group of ocean birds. They range over all the oceans of the world. Petrels seldom come near land except during the breeding season, or when they are blown ashore by storms. They usually nest in protected ledges or in burrows along the shore. Petrels may be black, gray, or white in color. They range from about 6 inches to 3 feet (15 to 91 centimeters) long.
There are many kinds of petrels, including the cahow, diving-petrels, fulmars, shearwaters, and storm petrels. Some petrels feed by diving into the water. But most petrels fly close above the waves and pick up food from the surface. Storm petrels, which are the smallest petrels, use their feet as paddles just below the surface of the water as they glide above it. They seem to be walking on top of the ocean. Sailors often call storm petrels “Mother Carey’s chickens.” Most storm petrels breed along the Pacific Coast of North America. One species also nests along the Atlantic Coast from Labrador to Maine.
