Least Storm-Petrel (Hydrobates microsoma)

Identification & Behavior: ~14.5 cm (5.7 in). The Least Storm-Petrel is uniformly dusky with pale bars on the upperside of the wing. It is the smallest storm-petrel in the Pacific Ocean with proportionally short and rounded wings and wedge-shaped tail. Some suggest, in flight, it looks like a bat. It is distinguished from the dark and larger storm-petrels my being much smaller, having a wedged tail, and largely restricted to extreme northern Peru. See similar Markham’s Storm-Petrel and Black Storm-Petrel.

Status: The Least Storm-Petrel is rare during the months of November through December in the warm water of extreme northern Peru. At least three specimens were collected by R. L. Pitman in March 1982, off of northern Peru and deposited in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Specimens are unreported. It also occurs in Co and Ec.

Name in Spanish: Golondrina de Mar Menuda.

Sub-species: Least Storm-Petrel (Oceanodroma microsoma), Coues 1864.

Meaning of Name: Hydrobates: Hydro: Gr.= water, and bates= walker, one who walks. microsoma: L. micro=tiny, soma= appearance, looks; of tiny appearance.

See more of the Family Hydrobatidae