News Animals

Why a small seabird dares to fly toward cyclones

The North Atlantic’s Desertas petrel may feed in the wake of intense storms

A small seabird called a Desertas petrel is shown flying against the blue backdrop of sky.

Desertas petrels (one shown) will sometimes fly toward cyclones, risking life and wing for a potential big food payout.

Christoph Moning/iNaturalist (CC BY 4.0)

By Joseph Polidoro

Tropical cyclones are synonymous with destruction. But at least one seabird may take advantage of them as feeding opportunities.

The Desertas petrel, a small and threatened seabird native to the North Atlantic Ocean, has long been associated with oncoming storms.