Ashy Petrel

When mated birds exchange places shortly after dark, Kaeding says they talk over the day's happenings in a queer little sing-song twitter punctuated with gasps like the exhaust of a Lilliputian engine.

Small, dainty and velvety, they are the prettiest birds imaginable — except when they vomit!

Range

Coast of California from Point Reyes south to San Clementi Island.