Least Storm-petrel
A species of Dark Storm Petrels Scientific name : Hydrobates microsoma Genus : Dark Storm Petrels
Least Storm-petrel, A species of Dark Storm Petrels
Botanical name: Hydrobates microsoma
Genus: Dark Storm Petrels
Content
Description
Description
The least storm petrel (Oceanodroma microsoma) is a small seabird of the storm petrel family Hydrobatidae. It is 13–15 cm in length, with a wingspan of 32 cm. It is the smallest member of the order Procellariiformes. It breeds on islands off the Baja Peninsula and Gulf of California of Mexico in rock crevices or small burrows in soft earth and lays a single white egg. Like most petrels, its walking ability is limited to a short shuffle to the burrow. It is a colonial nester. It spends the rest of the year at sea, reaching as far south as the tropical Pacific South America. It frequently can be seen well offshore of southern California in late summer and autumn. It feeds on mainly planktonic crustaceans, with a preference of larvae of spiny lobsters. It feeds similarly to other storm petrels, picking food off the surface of the water while in flight. The least storm petrel suffers losses on some of the breeding islands, particularly from feral cats and rats. 
Size
15 cm
Feeding Habits
Least Storm-petrel primarily consume small planktonic crustaceans. They forage by skimming the ocean's surface or making shallow dives. Least Storm-petrel have specialized hunting techniques, feeding mostly at night, which may be linked to their diet's availability and the avoidance of predators.
Habitat
Marine and often pelagic, over warm waters away from land, small islands, rocky stacks
Nest Behavior
Breeding happens in colonies on islands, with peak egg-laying in July. Least Storm-petrel are nocturnal around colonies and lay a single egg. Parental care habits are not well documented.
Nest Characteristics
Least Storm-petrel typically nest among piles of rocks or in cliff crevices, not in burrows. The nests are simple, with no construction materials; eggs are laid on bare rock.
Dite type
Piscivorous
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Albatrosses and Petrels Family
Hydrobatidae Genus
Dark Storm Petrels Species
Least Storm-petrel 
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