Based on two years of follow-up research, scientists have concluded
that the birds Jeff Gilligan, Gerard Lillie, and four Irish friends
saw from the deck of their cruise ship off the coast of Chile are
likely members of a new species of storm-petrel. The men, who are all
serious birders, spotted what they thought were Wilson’s Storm-Petrels.
On closer inspection, however, they noticed several features not
consistent with that species, such as bellies that were too white and
distinctive whitish wing bars.
After taking pictures and comparing them with various birding books
and online reference materials, it began to look increasingly like
they had found an unknown species. Upon returning home, they consulted
with different experts and kept coming up with the same feedback, a new
species may have been discovered.
The next step was to enlist the services of some experts to capture
some birds. Funding such an undertaking, however, is not inexpensive.
Ironically, the person who came to the rescue was Peter Harrison, a
recognized international expert on seabirds, who, 20 years earlier, had
documented seeing a bird that may have been the same species in the
same area. Owing to poor visibility, however, he discounted the
sighting.
Harrison sought the help of two New Zealanders, Chris Gaskin and
Karen Baird, who had been involved in searches for breeding sites of the
recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm-Petrel, a bird that was
thought to be extinct for over 100 years. He also recruited one of
Chile's leading ornithologists, Dr. Michel Sallaberry Ayerza with the
University of Chile-Santiago.
In February 2011, the team set sail from Puerto Montt, Chile in
the Gulf of Ancud. After chumming the water with fish scraps, they
spotted some of the unknown petrels. However, due to rough waters, they
had to return to port.
Over the next several days, the seas calmed and the team was able to
return to the water and was able to capture 12 birds. They took blood
and feather samples as well as a variety of measurements of weight,
wings, bills, toes, etc. One bird was accidentally killed in the
capture net and was retained as a specimen.
Harrison is now working on a peer-reviewed paper officially
describing the new species. If accepted for publication, it will mark
the first new seabird species in 55 years, and the first new
storm-petrel in nearly 90.
Presently, there are 23 species of storm-petrels that vary from
five to ten inches long. All are dark gray or brown, sometimes lighter
below, often with a white rump. Their relatively short wings are
rounded at the tips; the tail can be square, forked, or wedge-shaped.
The name petrel is thought by some to refer to St. Peter because
when feeding, they face into the wind with wings extended, and appear
to be walking on water. The word “storm” was added for this group
because the early sailors often reported seeing these little birds just
before a storm.