Distinct in the North Pacific, not only its deeply forked tail but also
the grey plumage being unique, the only vaguely similar species is the next taxa, which breeds in the Humboldt Current.
An abundant species from Hokkaido to California, it breeds on many islands in the Kurils, Aleutians, and off Alaska and
the north-west of America, moving south in winter. I have only ever photographed it distantly using slide film, in the
Bering Sea. Must visit Alaska one day!
Click on the photo to return to "petrels" or here for
HOMEPAGE
