Craveri’s Murrelet
Craveri's Murrelet
Synthliboramphus craveri
At a Glance
Nesting on islands off the west coast of Mexico, this small seabird wanders north irregularly into California's offshore waters in late summer. Its numbers vary, with more seeming to show up in seasons with warmer water temperatures, and in some years not one is found north of the border. In appearance and habits, Craveri's is very similar to Scripps's Murrelet.
All bird guide text and rangemaps adapted from Lives of North American Birds by Kenn Kaufman© 1996, used by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Category
Auks, Murres, Puffins, Upright-perching Water Birds
IUCN Status
Vulnerable
Habitat
Coasts and Shorelines, Open Ocean
Region
California
Behavior
Direct Flight, Rapid Wingbeats, Swimming
Population
8.000
Range & Identification
Description
8 1/2-10" (22-25 cm). Very similar to Scripps's Murrelet. Craveri's has slightly longer, thinner bill, tends to show a dark wedge extending forward at side of chest, a bit more black reaching chin. Underside of wings mostly dusky, not white (this is hard to see).
Size
About the size of a Robin
Color
Black, White
Wing Shape
Pointed, Tapered
Tail Shape
Short
Songs and Calls
In breeding season, a trilling whistle heard near the colony at sea.
Call Type
Chirp/Chip, Whistle
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