General

Ashy Storm-Petrel: Small seabird, gray-black overall with dark bill and forked tail. Gray wash on underwing coverts are visible at close range. Legs and feet are dark gray. Sexes are similar. Like other storm-petrels, this bird flits and flutters just above the water.

Range and Habitat

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

Breeding and Nesting

Ashy Storm-Petrel: One white egg, sometimes with faint red brown spots, is laid in a burrow or under rocks or a bush. Incubation ranges from 44 to 45 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Ashy Storm-Petrel: Feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans; forages by snatching prey from the ocean surface while in flight, usually at night.

Vocalization

Ashy Storm-Petrel: Silent at sea. On breeding grounds makes twittering and squeaking sounds.

Similar Species

Ashy Storm-Petrel: Black Storm-Petrel is larger and has deeper wing beats. Least Storm-Petrel is smaller and has shorter, wedge-shaped tail.