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How do storm petrels walk on ocean waves?

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Black-browed albatross (Diomedea melanophris) — Procellariiform Black-browed albatross (*Diomedea melanophris*).

Storm petrels, which belong to the order Procellariiformes, exhibit a unique foraging behavior often described as "walking" on the water.

Species that breed in the southern oceans—which are characterized by having longer legs and shorter wings—perform this action by spreading their wings and pattering over the surface of the ocean. This "walking" motion allows them to effectively pick up minute marine organisms from the water's surface. The name "petrel," meaning "little Peter," is derived from this specific habit of appearing to walk upon the waves.12