storm petrel

Or storm-petrel

noun

1. any of several small, tube-nosed seabirds of the family Hydrobatidae, usually having black or sooty-brown plumage with a white rump.

storm petrel

noun

1. Also called: Mother Carey's chicken.  stormy petrel. any small petrel, such as the northern Hydrobates pelagicus, of the family Hydrobatidae, typically having a dark plumage with paler underparts

Word History and Origins

Origin of storm petrel¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Word History and Origins

Origin of storm petrel¹

C19: so named because it was thought to be a harbinger of rough weather