[5][9][10] The large degree of speciation observed amongst storm petrels may relate to remote island-nesting patterns associated with specific water types.

[8] The species is characterised on colour patterns, the condition of the nasal tubes, tail shape, structure of claws, and proportions of the leg bones.

have their plumage black above, white below, and white upper tail coverts, nasal tube free at end and upturned, half culmen in length; tarsus booted in front, webs black, basal joint middle toe flattened, and claws blunt and flattened.

[1][10] Sources describe the white-bellied storm petrel as both nonmigratory[13] and fully migrant[14] reflecting perhaps how little is known or understood of this elusive sea bird.

[7][10] Flight tends to be low gliding with pattering and dipping to feed,[7][14][1] stepping off the water's surface with their legs, an asymmetrical gait having been observed.

[6][14][1][10][16] Breeding sites occur on offshore islands and rocky outcrops[10] in dispersed colonies with grass-lined nests built in crevices and burrows.

[6][10] Breeding occurs in late summer and early autumn, with egg laying between January and March, and fledgling chicks seen from mid-April to May.

[11] Nationally in Australia, the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act statutory listing status is vulnerable and requires a recovery plan (2009).

[10] In New South Wales, Australia, at the state level, F. grallaria is listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

[10] The natural history of the seabird (longevity, delayed fertility and small clutch size) renders them susceptible to changes in their environment.

Identified threats include commercial fishing, marine pollution, predation by alien invasive species, habitat loss, and direct disturbance and exploitation by humans.

[18] Heavy metals including mercury and cadmium have been identified at toxic levels in the seabirds of Gough Island, a breeding site for F.

[19][20] Ingested plastics are a recognised hazard and may be more prone to accumulate in Procellariiformes for anatomical reasons (constricted entry to the gizzard limits regurgitation).

[21][20][22] Ship and other artificial lights confuse seabirds and Fregetta grallaria are at risk when returning to breeding grounds at night.

[23][20] In Australia, the primary sources of threat to F. grallaria are habitat loss and invasive species, the latter introduced by fishing and shipping vessels and land-based activity, in particular the domestic cat and the black rat.