Birds of Mexico

    PROCELLARIIFORMES: Hydrobatidae (Northern Storm Petrels)  
Genus: Hydrobates (8 species, 18 worldwide)


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Ainley's Storm Petrel (Hydrobates cheimomnestes) Vulnerable ENDEMIC
   


Split from Leach's Storm Petrel. Breeds on islands off west Mexico at a different time than Townsend's Storm Petrel (also split). Does not have white rump, but some Leach's also do not.

Ashy Storm Petrel
Ashy Storm Petrel (Hydrobates homochroa) Endangered
Farallon Islands, California, United States  
   
Photograph by Christopher Adler   © All Rights Reserved.

Note forked tail, medium size, and ashy body color.

Leach's Storm Petrel
Leach's Storm Petrel (Hydrobates leucorhous) Vulnerable
Canary Islands, Spain  
   
Photograph by Stephen A. Daly   © All Rights Reserved.

May or may not have a V-shaped white band across rump that does not reach the tail. Note forked tail.

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Guadalupe Storm Petrel (Hydrobates macrodactylus) Critically Endangered ENDEMIC
   


Nests on Guadalupe Island off west Mexico. Probably extinct.

Black Storm Petrel
Black Storm Petrel (Hydrobates melania)
California, United States
  Northern migrant to tropical waters (Sept. to April), and a bit larger than other storm petrels.
   
Photograph by Julio Mulero     Copyright and usage info

Northern migrant to tropical waters (Sept. to April), and a bit larger than other storm petrels at 22 cm..

Least Storm Petrel
Least Storm Petrel (Hydrobates microsoma)
Spring Valley Lake, California,  
   
Photograph by Matt Grube   © All Rights Reserved.

Smallest storm petrel at around 16 cm.. Dark brown with no white rump, similar in coloration to larger Black Storm Petrel, or Markham's Storm Petrel.

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Townsend's Storm Petrel (Hydrobates socorroensis) Endangered
   


Split from Leach's Storm Petrel. Breeds on islands off west Mexico. Very similar to Leach's Storm Petrel.

Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel
Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel (Hydrobates tethys)
Spring Valley Lake, California,  
   
Photograph by Matt Grube   © All Rights Reserved.

Note white rump extends almost to the edge of the tail, and short legs that do not extend past the tail in flight.


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