Least Storm-Petrel

Hydrobates microsoma

Very small, all-dark storm-petrel with a fairly short, graduated tail. Fairly common and can be seen from shore in the Gulf of California and along the Pacific coast. Often feeds and associates with the much larger Black Storm-Petrel, where size difference is obvious. Flight of Least is generally quick and weaving, with deep, rather jerky wingbeats and little or no gliding.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Hydrobates microsoma
Authority
(Coues, 1864)
Order
Procellariiformes
Family
Hydrobatidae
Genus
Hydrobates

Range and habitat

Breeding range
PO : Is. de San Benito (w of c Baja California), Roca Consag, Isla San Luis, I. Partida and I. Cardonosa Este (e of n, nc, c Baja California, Gulf of California)
Non-breeding range
Gulf of California and coastal e Pacific Ocean waters from s California to Ecuador
Migration
Complete migrants

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

Bird Calls

Other Birds

Willie-wagtail

Willie-wagtail

Rhipidura leucophrys

Large black-and-white songbird with fine bill and long legs. Black above, white below, with narrow white eyebrow. Similar Restless Flycatcher has white chin, no white eyebrow, and more peaked crown. Inhabits parks, farms, and grasslands, where often perches prominently, flicking the tail from side to side and giving a pleasing “chitit-chitit-chitit” call.

Black-bellied Myzomela

Black-bellied Myzomela

Myzomela erythromelas

A striking myzomela with an entirely black body and a bright crimson head. Female olive-brown with a duller, but still vivid, red face. Found in most forested habitats and secondary growth, sometimes in gardens. Similar to Sclater’s Myzomela, but lacks the black head and grayish body. Mostly quiet, but most common call is a rapid, squeaky “tsi-tsi-tsi.”

Magnificent Frigatebird

Magnificent Frigatebird

Fregata magnificens

Massive seabird of warm tropical oceans and coastlines. Overall black with extremely long, deeply forked tail and angular wings. Male completely black with inflatable red pouch on throat (not seen away from breeding colonies) and bluish eyering. In good light, black coloration can show purplish sheen. Adult female has white chest and golden bar on shoulder. Young birds have white head and breast. Often soars for long periods and flies with slow wingbeats. Steals food from other seabirds. Surprisingly acrobatic during aerial chases despite its large size. Limited range overlap with Great Frigatebird (mainly offshore western Mexico and in the Galapagos); identification is complicated by age and sex variation. Adult males are extremely similar; females and immatures best identified by exact pattern of white on head and breast, bill color, and eyering color.

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