Least Storm-Petrel

The Least Storm-petrel is a small seabird of the storm-petrel family Hydrobatidae. It is 13-15 cm in length, with a wingspan of 32 cm. It is the smallest member of the order Procellariiformes. The species is the only member of the genus Halocyptena although it is sometimes included in the genus Oceanodroma.

The Least Storm-Petrel is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

The Least Storm-petrel (Halocyptena microsoma) is a small seabird of the storm-petrel family Hydrobatidae. It is 13-15 cm in length, with a wingspan of 32 cm. It is the smallest member of the order Procellariiformes. The species is the only member of the genus Halocyptena although it is sometimes included in the genus Oceanodroma. It breeds on islands off the Baja Peninsula and Gulf of California of Mexico in rock crevices or small burrows in soft earth and lays a single white egg. More

The Least Storm-Petrel is evaluated as Least Concern at this time. This is a marine bird that is native to Mexico, Colombia and the United States. This bird is also a visitor to Japan. The range of the Least Storm-Petrel is about 100,000 square kilometers. The population of this bird is estimated at around 1 million individual bids. The current rating for the Least Storm-Petrel was downgraded from a prior rating of Lower Risk in 2004. More

Les Chibana's shot of a definite Least Storm-Petrel is middle right (and much enlarged compared the rest). About half of the storm-petrel species are tropical or subtropical, staying within warm waters but wandering widely as food can be patchy and hard to find. A set of storm-petrels of deep offshore warm waters is currently delimited under the name Band-rumped Storm-Petrel (right). Its basic pattern — black bird with a white rump band — is a feature shared with 8 other species. More

Appearance: Least Storm-Petrels weigh only three-quarters of an ounce; they are 5.7 inches long, with a 15 inch wingspan. These tiny seabirds are dark brown overall, with black wingtips and short, wedge-shaped tails, long slender wings, and a dark bill with the typical "tubenose" structure on top. In flight, these storm-petrels show a light brown diagonal bar on their wings. Sexes are similar. More

Least Storm-Petrel breeds only on islands off Baja California and in the northern islands in the Gulf of California but moves irregularly north to waters off California in late summer, particularly in years when water temperature is higher, sometimes in considerable numbers. It breeds colonially on rocky islands off northwestern Baja California and is active at the nest only at night. Nest sites are often crevices in a cliffs but unlike other storm-petrels it does not nest in burrows. More

Least Storm-Petrel is much smaller with more rapid wing beats and a wedge-shaped tail. Other storm-petrels have white rumps. Flight Pattern Mothlike flight., Mothlike flight. Black Storm-Petrel Body● Range & Habitat: Black Storm-Petrel: Breeds on islands off both coasts of Baja California, but occurs along the Pacific coast from northern California to South America. Nests on rocky islands; rest of the year is spent on open ocean. More

The Least Storm-petrel (Halocyptena microsoma) is a small seabird of the storm-petrel family Hydrobatidae. It is 13-15 cm in length, with a wingspan of 32 cm. It is the smallest storm-petrel in size. It breeds on islands off the Baja Peninsula and Gulf of California of Mexico in rock crevices or small burrows in soft earth and lays a single white egg. Like most petrels, its walking ability is limited to a short shuffle to the burrow. It is a colonial nester. More