Ashy Storm-Petrel

Overview
Ashy Storm-Petrel: Small seabird, gray-black overall, dark bill, forked tail. Gray wash on underwing coverts are visible at close range. Legs and feet are dark gray. Unlike most storm-petrels, it doesn't travel far from colonies after breeding. Flight is fluttering and direct on shallow wing beats.

Range and Habitat
Ashy Storm-Petrel: Breeds on islands from northern California south to northern Baja California. Pelagic, comes ashore only to breed.

INTERESTING FACTS
The Ashy Storm-petrel is a long-lived bird, a banded individual has been recorded living at least 31 years. Both its common and scientific name come from its coloration, one authority has suggested naming it Coues's Storm Petrel after the man that described the species, Elliott Coues. The nocturnal nature of this species and its hidden nests make it difficult to assess population trends. Long-term records for the Farallon Islands do not seem to show significant changes from the 1880's to 1970. Unlike most other species of storm-petrel, they do not travel far from their colonies after breeding, and the breeding season is spread out over most of the year.