One of two species split from Leach's, which breeds, as far as is known,
on three islets off Guadalupe. It can be distinguished in the hand, and theoretically classic examples at sea, but not enough
is known, especially regarding dispersal, to be certain. This bird may not be Ainley's, it was taken in a harbour in Costa Rica
and was clearly out of range anyway. Certain features do point that way, but I asked someone who has studied them and he said
it could be, but then again it could be Leach's!
Click on the photo to return to "petrels" or here for
HOMEPAGE
