Townsend’s Storm-Petrel

As of July 7, 2016 Leach’s Storm-Petrel has been split into three species, Leach’s (which retains the name Oceanodroma leucorhoa), Townsend’s (Oceanodroma socorroensis), and Ainley’s (Oceanodroma cheimomnestes). Townsend’s Storm-Petrel is a summer breeder on islands off the west coast of Baja California, but may be seen well offshore just into US waters on pelagic outings out of San Diego. The species is slightly smaller than Leach’s and the rump patch on most (not all) individuals is prominent, bright white, and lacks the dark center separation band seen in Leach’s.