Photo: Alan Schmierer / CC0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Least Storm Petrel
Hydrobates microsoma
Least Storm Petrel (Hydrobates microsoma) — Seabirds & Tubenoses of Oceans & Seabirds.
Found across 10 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Least Storm Petrel (Hydrobates microsoma) is a member of the Hydrobatidae family found in Oceans & Seabirds. Adults weigh 20.5 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Procellariiformes
- Family Hydrobatidae Northern Storm Petrels
- Genus Hydrobates
- Species microsoma
Where it lives
Is. de San Benito (west of central Baja California), Roca Consag, Isla San Luis, I. Partida and I. Cardonosa Este (east of northern, north-central, central Baja California, Gulf of California)
Quick facts
- Weight
- 20.5 g
- Diet
- Aquatic hunters
- Family
- Hydrobatidae
- Order
- Procellariiformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Least Storm Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Behaviour
A bird of open sea and coastal waters, it is highly aerial, spending much of its time on the wing.
Migration
The Least Storm Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Least Storm Petrel (Hydrobates microsoma) is a species of bird in the Hydrobatidae family, part of the order Procellariiformes. It occurs naturally across Oceans & Seabirds. Its distribution covers PO Is. de San Benito (w of c Baja California), Roca Consag, Isla San Luis, I. Partida and I. Cardonosa Este (e of n, nc, c Baja California, Gulf of California).
It is a small bird. Adults weighs around 20.5 g, with a wing length of about 11.9 cm and a tail of around 5.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
The species has a mapped global range of roughly 2.6 million km².
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Least Storm Petrel?
The Least Storm Petrel is a small bird that weighs around 20.5 g.
Where does the Least Storm Petrel live?
The Least Storm Petrel is found across Oceans & Seabirds with a range covering PO Is. de San Benito (w of c Baja California), Roca Consag, Isla San Luis, I. Partida and I. Cardonosa Este (e of n, nc, c Baja California, Gulf of California), where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Least Storm Petrel belong to?
The Least Storm Petrel (Hydrobates microsoma) belongs to the Hydrobatidae family, in the order Procellariiformes.
What does the Least Storm Petrel eat?
The Least Storm Petrel hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Does the Least Storm Petrel migrate?
The Least Storm Petrel is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Least Storm Petrel endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
How large is the Least Storm Petrel's range?
The Least Storm Petrel has a mapped global range of about 2.6 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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