ML167203351

Age and sex

Adult, Unknown sex - X

Media notes

Picture with head, bill shape and structure, underwing coloration and leg color

Observation details

During nighttime mist netting efforts for Ashy-Storm-Petrels at Arch Point on Santa Barbara Island, Santa Barbara County, at 21:08 on June 1, 2016 an all dark tube nosed seabird flew into the mist net. Upon retrieving the bird, it was notably larger than either Ashy or Black Storm-petrels which breed on the island (the audio attraction was playing Ashy Storm-petrel calls). First impressions were that it was all dark with no noticeable areas of lighter coloration, and had a thicker than expected all dark bill with very prominent tubed nostrils and a large nail. Its tail feathers were tapered and bluntly rounded at resting. The bird was photographed before it was released. Identification discounted any petrels with significant white plumage or other obvious markings the observation and pictures did not include. Lack of markings of lighter coloration and general characteristics of the birds shape tentatively identified it as Bulweria spp, and based on relative size, tarsal measurement and thicker, stouter bill structure the bird was identified as Bulweria fallax over B. bulwerii. Pictures and written descriptions were circulated to seabird identification experts, and the identification was agreed upon. Record was accepted by the California Bird Records Committee in 2018.

Technical information

Model

SPH-L720

ISO

50

Focal length

4.2 mm

Flash

Flash fired

f-stop

f/2.2

Shutter speed

1/16 sec

Dimensions

4128 pixels x 2322 pixels

Original file size

2.25 MB