Ashy storm-petrel  (Oceanodroma homochroa)

Description

The ashy storm-petrel is so named for its smoky-grey plumage, barely discernible amidst the dense fog that frequently shrouds California’s coastal waters (4). Only the subtle, pale wash of the underwings and pale edges of the uppertail coverts provide a reliable means of distinguishing it from the similarly grey storm-petrels that overlap its range (2). Less defining features include a deeply forked tail and a dark coloured hooked bill (3) (5). Its vocalisations are poorly described but in the nest environment a rising and falling purr is often heard (2).

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