(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)

Leach's Storm-petrel - Oceanodroma leucorhoa

Identification Tips:

  1. Length: 7.5 inches Wingspan: 19 inches
  2. Sexes similar
  3. Pelagic bird only coming ashore to breed
  4. Medium-sized storm-petrel
  5. Dark bill with tube on top
  6. Very dark plumage
  7. Gray carpal bar
  8. White rump patch divided or missing(Southern California)
  9. Forked tail
  10. Deep wingbeats
  11. Flight style reminiscent of nighthawk

Similar species:

Most likely to be confused with other storm petrels. Black, Ashy, and Least have dark rumps. Smaller Wilson's has a whiter rump, squared tail, yellow feet often protruding beyond tail, and a different flight style. Band-rumped has an undivided rump patch and slightly different flight style- more direct with shearwater-like glides.