Family: Procellariidae, Shearwaters and Petrels view all from this family

Description 12 1/2 -15" (32-38 cm). The smallest shearwater that regularly visits the West Coast. Blackish-brown above, contrasting white underparts and wing linings. Bill black, feet pink. Flight rapid, with much flapping and little gliding. The form that visits California waters has dark undertail coverts and was formerly considered a race of the Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus), a resident of the North Atlantic.

Habitat Open ocean; often seen from shore.

Nesting 1 white egg placed in a burrow or a crevice. Nests in colonies.

Range Breeds on islands off Baja California. A year-round visitor to waters off southern California, most common in late fall and winter.

Voice Usually silent at sea.

Discussion This bird flies close to the waves, its flight more fluttery than that of other shearwaters. It rarely follows ships, but feeds by snatching food from the water's surface and sometimes by diving. This shearwater even swims beneath the surface, aided by its wings. Its diet includes small fish and crustaceans.