- Synthliboramphus hypoleucus
Description
This uncommon little alcid breeds on islands off southern California and Baja Mexico and ranges north offshore after the breeding season, occasionally as far as British Columbia. It is rated Vulnerable to extinction by Birdlife International:
http://www.birdlife.net/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3311&m=0
and is on the Audubon Watch List:
http://audubon2.org/webapp/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=224
Photo is of the northern subspecies, S. h. scrippsi, which some taxonomists consider a separate species, Scripps's Murrelet (S. scrippsi). Nominate southern subspecies has white crescent in front of and above eye.
Identification
Length 9.75 inches (25 cm), wingspan 15 inches (38 cm). Distinguished from two other murrelets in range, Craveri's and Marbled, by white wing linings, shorter bill and less black on face than Craveri's, longer bill and more solid black upperparts than Marbled.
