Oregon’s Rare Seabirds
Updated: 17 August 2008
Greg Gillson
The Bird Guide, Inc.
greg@thebirdguide.com
This page lists the rare seabirds found in Oregon and any manifest patterns of occurrence, locally or regionally. In addition, there are several species seen in states adjacent to Oregon that have yet to be found in Oregon. I mention these briefly, indicating when might be best to search for them. While such an approach may seem reasonable, it is just as likely that some obscure seabird, never even imagined, will be the next rare bird to show up. Such is the allure of watching seabirds.
Many rare seabirds are spotted from small boats bouncing on the waves or viewed distantly from wind-blown headlands. Many are difficult to identify, or the identification criteria are still imperfectly known. Birds listed here do not indicate my endorsement. I have chosen to list all sightings reported that appear to be reasonable. Some of these records may, in fact, be incorrect. It is the purpose of the Oregon Bird Records Committee to review the reports submitted to it and decide which were seen and described well enough to be added to the official list of Oregon birds. Records accepted by the OBRC are indicated in the following list. Other sources are listed (BO:S&D is Birds of Oregon: Status and Distribution by Gilligan et al. 1994). Most recent reports have been gleaned from postings on Oregon Birders On-Line (OBOL) e-mail discussion list.
Terminology:
Nearshore: within about 3 miles of shore.
Shelf: from shore to 100 fathoms (600 feet deep), about 20-30 miles offshore.
Shelf break: 100 fathom line (600 feet deep), about 20-30 miles offshore, separating shelf and slope waters.
Slope: 100 fathoms to 1000 fathoms (600 feet to 6000 feet deep), 20-30 to 50-60 miles offshore.
Deep Water: 1000+ fathoms (6000 feet deep), 50+ miles offshore.
Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta
T. c. cauta Breeds Tasmania. Eggs November-December. Prior to 1996 there was only one record of this southern hemisphere species in the North Pacific, a bird shot 39 miles off Washington in September 1951. Following the Oregon sighting in 1996 one was seen on 24 August 1999 off Mendocino Co., CA and 22 January 2000 off Westport, WA, then again off Oregon.
Best chance to see in Oregon: It is possible that the sightings from 1996-2001 are all the same individual bird (the 1996 bird was a subadult, all subsequent were adults). If so, we might expect to see this bird regularly offshore, following fishing boats, at any time of year. Most likely at shelf break, September-October.
5 October 1996: 32 nm west of Yachats, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC).
7 October 2001: 32 nm west of Yachats, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC)
Salvin’s Albatross Thalassarche salvini
Breeds New Zealand. Disperses to South America, South Africa. Formerly subspecies of White-capped (Shy) Albatross. Three reports from California: May 1996 from shore (not accepted by CBRC), 29 July 2000 off Monterey, and 10 September 2000 at Cordell Bank. Photographed on Midway Atoll on 8 April 2003. From central Aleutians of Alaska on 8 August 2003.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break. August-October.
No Oregon records.
Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastria albatrus
Formerly abundant (millions) in the North Pacific. Hunted for their feathers to near extinction by early in the 20th century. Breeds Japan. Eggs November-December. Population of about 50 birds in 1965 grew to about 1500 by 2001. Increased sightings off West Coast and southern Alaska in late 1990’s (12 birds in Alaska in 1997, of which 5 were in August during halibut bycatch studies). Most recent sightings in Oregon range from October to March (also August in California). Eighteen sightings in California through March 2003, 13 since 1998. Three Washington records, January 1993 and 2001, June 2004 (8 records through fall 2006, North American Birds).
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break, October-March.
11 December 1961: 32 mi west of Yachats (OBRC).
19 June 1978: 20 mi sw Columbia River (OBRC).
14 October 1979: Columbia mouth (Oregon Birds 6(1):50).
19 September 1989: 20 mi west of Depoe Bay (Fix and Heinl 1990).
9 November 1996: 44 nm w of Cape Falcon, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
13 December 1999: 21 nm off Curry Co. (OBRC).
21 October 2000: 32 nm off Yachats, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC).
24 March 2001: 32 nm off Yachats, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., photo by Tim Shelmerdine, OBRC).
mid November 2003: radio-tagged HY bird moved from Alaskan waters to 20 nm off Cape Blanco, Curry Co. (Rob Suryan).
12 July 2005: Edge of Heceta Bank, Lincoln Co. (David Ainley).
3 September 2005: 5 month old juvenile washup at Bandon, Coos Co., Oregon OBRC).
18 March 2006: 20 nm off Newport, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., photo by Troy Guy, OBRC).
18 October 2006: radio-tagged HY bird moved from Alaskan waters to off Lincoln Co. then Coos Co., and then offshore and back to the Aleutians (Rob Suryan).
20 November 2006: radio-tagged bird moved from Alaskan waters to the mouth of the Columbia, then down the Oregon coast to Cape Blanco, then out to sea and back to the Aleutians (Wake Forest University's Albatross Project web site).
Wandering Albatross Diomedea albatrus
Breeds circumpolar in Southern Hemisphere. One record in Californai: 11-12 July 1967 on shore at Sea Ranch, Sonoma Co.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Light-mantled Albatross Phoebetria palpebrata
Breeds Australia, South Georgia. Disperses to South America. A Cordell Bank, California record, 17 July 1994, was accepted as “origin uncertain” by the ABA Checklist Committee, indicating there was some feeling the bird might have arrived with help.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Hawaiian Petrel Pterodroma sandwichensis
Dark-rumped Petrel recently was split into Hawaiian Petrel and Galapagos Petrel (P. phaeopygia). Don Roberson’s photo analysis suggests that California records probably all pertain to Hawaiian Petrels (http://montereybay.com/creagrus/DRPE_id.html). Breeds Hawaii. Eggs April-May. Very rare. A dozen sightings from California to 2002 have dates that range from April to October, but most records are from mid-July through August. This is a deep water species, but seen within 8 miles of shore over Noyo Canyon off Fort Bragg in deep water there on 19 August 2000, 18 August 2001, 13 August 2006, 8 August 2008.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, July-September.
19 October 1986: 270 mi off Cape Arago, Coos Co.
September 2001: 248 mi west of Coos Bay.
8 August 2002: 45 nm west of Port Orford (David Ainley, OBRC accepted as Hawaiian/Galapagos Petrel).
10 August 2002: 45 nm west of Florence (David Ainley, OBRC accepted as Hawaiian/Galapagos Petrel).
7 August 2008: 160 nm west of Newport (Sophie Webb).
8 August 2008: 160 nm west of Newport (Sophie Webb).
Juan Fernandez Petrel Pterodroma externa
Abundant seabird, breeds off Chile. Eggs December-January. At sea from May-November, regular near Hawaii in June-July and July-October off west Mexico. March sighting (unknown year) off California. 14 September 1990 off Washington. Neither was accepted by their respective record committees. Associates strongly with tuna-porpoise assemblages.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, June-October.
7 June 2002: 50 mi off Brookings (David Ainley, OBRC).
Murphy's Petrel Pterodroma ultima
Breeds Pitcairn Islands. Eggs April-May in Pitcairn populations, January at Dulce atoll. At sea March-June in central Pacific to 54N. California from April-August, peak April 20 to May 21. Commonest seabird beyond 50 miles from shore off California in April. Washington has 4 April-May records, 1 in August, and 1 in September.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, April-June.
15 June 1981: dead on beach Lost Creek, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
6 March 1987: moribund on Horsfall Beach, Coos Co. (OBRC).
27 March 1988: dead 2 mi south of Cape Blanco, Curry Co. (OBRC).
18 April 1994: 21 birds 200 nm west of Waldport (Michael Force).
3 May 1997: 14 birds off Cape Blanco to Cape Arago (Michael Force, OB 23:150-156).
6 May 1997: 52 nm west of Cascade Head, Lincoln Co (Michael Force).
12 May 1997: 2 birds 140 nm west of Florence (Michael Force).
19 September 1999: 65 mi off Sunset Beach, Clatsop Co. (Jeff Gilligan).
6 September 2005: Possible at Seaside Cove, Clatsop Co. (Mike Patterson).
31 October to 1 November 2005: 7, 150 miles off n. Oregon (Rich Pagen, Thomas
Staudt, OBRC).
11 May 2008: 6 birds from cruise ship: 2 off Curry Co., 1 off Douglas Co., 3 off Lane Co. (Jeff Gilligan, Dave Irons).
Solander's (Providence) Petrel Pterodroma solandri
Breeds Australia. Eggs May. At sea November-February in NW Pacific. Very similar to Murphy’s Petrel and no accepted records for North America. Nevertheless, seabird researchers are certain that some birds they are seeing are not Murphy’s Petrels. Will probably require a specimen to prove occurrence in eastern Pacific. These still could be misidentified Murphy’s, however. Photographed 173 miles off Cape Mendocino, California on 8 August 2005. Likely correctly identified off Westport, Washington on 11 September 1983.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, April-May.
20 May 1981: 4 birds 55-70 mi offshore between Columbia R. and Heceta Head, OR (Bailey et al. 1989; Terry Wahl).
18 April 1994: 180 nm west of Waldport, OR (Michael Force).
12 May 1997: 2 were 140 nm off Florence, OR (Michael Force).
Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera
P. m. gouldi Breeds New Zealand. Four California records: 24 August 1996 at Cordell Bank, 14 August 1998 near the Farallon Islands, 18 October 1998 off Monterey, 23 October 2000 near Davidson Seamount.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, July-October.
26 August 2007: 1 about 12 miles off Charleston, OR (Eric Horvath, Tim Rodenkirk).
Mottled Petrel Pterodroma inexpectata
Breeds New Zealand. Eggs December. April-August off Aleutians. Off West Coast, primarily March-May and November-December, casual in winter.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, November-December, March-May.
25 July 1959: dead on beach north of Alsea Bay, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
16 February 1971: 1 was 105 mi west of Tillamook Co. (Ainley and Manolis 1979).
18-19 March 1972: 2 dead on beach south of Yaquina Beach, Lincoln Co., (OBRC).
31 March 1981: 9 were 60 mi west of Waldport, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
19 April 1985: 62 off the s. Washington and n. Oregon coast, of which 28 were about 97 mi west of the Oregon coast (Mattocks 1985).
15 December 1986: dead at Driftwood SP, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
10 December 1987: 1 off Boiler Bay Viewpoint, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
13 January 1988: 1 attacked by dogs in Cannon Beach, Clatsop Co. (Johnson 1988).
15 November 1989: dead on Clatsop Beach, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
11 December 1990: 3 were 45 mi west of Tillamook and Lincoln Cos. (OBRC).
14 April 1993: dead on Bayocean Beach, Tillamook Co. (OBRC).
1 December 1995: dead on Oceanside Beach, Tillamook Co. (OBRC).
5 December 1995: dead on beach at Newport (Roy Lowe, possible Cook’s?).
13 December 1999: 14nm W. Cape Blanco, Curry Co., (OBRC).
20 October 2001: 190nm WNW of Cape Blanco (Michael Force, Richard Rowlett).
20 October 2001: 215nm WNW of Cape Blanco (Cornelia Oedekoven).
24 October 2001: 168 nm W of Chetco R (Michael Force).
1 November 2001: 6, 20 nm W of Tillamook Head to 30 nm w of Cape Meares (Michael Force).
2 November 2001: 3, about 150 nm w of Cape Arago (Michael Force).
25 January 2003: 15 miles offshore of Cascade Head (Andy Dale).
31 October 2005 to 1 November 2005: 14, 150 miles offshore n. Oregon (Rich Pagen, Thomas Staudt, OBRC).
20 February 2007: Dead on beach at Seaside, Clatsop Co. (David Bailey).
25 February 2007: Dead on beach at Canon Beach, Clatsop Co. (Troy Guy, Lisa Scheffield).
12 November 2007: 2-4 birds from Spanish Head, Lincoln Co. during storm (Phil Pickering).
3 August 2008: 100 miles offshore Lincoln Co. (fide Tom Johnson).
Cook’s Petrel Pterodroma cookii
Breeds New Zealand. Eggs November-December. At sea April-October s. of Aleutians, off southern California and Mexico, and off Peru. Off n. California, peak October-November. One Washington record, dead on beach in December 1995.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, July-November.
1 August 2002: 3 birds 76 nm west of Florence (David Ainley, OBRC accepted as Cookilaria-type).
11 August 2005: 1 bird between 162 miles west of Cape Sebastian to 257 miles west of Cape Blanco (TS, fide Peter Pyle).
12 August 2005: 1 bird 253 miles west of Cape Blanco (Peter Pyle).
16 September 2005: 2 birds 166 miles west of Cape Blanco (Thomas Staudt or Scott Mills).
20 September 2005: 1 bird 40 miles off Coos Bay from cruise ship (Gilligan, Janzen, Schmidt).
20 October 2005: 2 birds 80 miles off Curry Co. (Pyle, photos, OBRC).
31 October or 1 November 2005: 1 bird 150 miles off n. Oregon (Rich Pagen, Thomas Staudt).
Stejneger’s Petrel Pterodroma longirostris
Breeds off Chile. At sea migrates past California and Hawaii and towards Japan. At least 5 California records far offshore: 17 November 1979 about 60 mi SW Pt. Sur, Monterey Co., 14 November 1990 about 152 mi SW of San Miguel Is., 17 November 1990 there were 2 birds 53 nm SW of SE Farallon I., 4 July 1992 about 153 nm SW San Nicholas I., 10 July 1992 about 189 nm WSW San Miguel I. Sixth N.A. record: one on 18 October 2005 about 90 miles off Ft. Bragg, Mendocino/Humboldt Co. line.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, July-November.
No Oregon records.
Streaked Shearwater Calonectris leucomelas
Abundant seabird. Breeds Japan. Eggs May-Jun. At sea February-October off Japan, November-February in SW Pacific. About a dozen California records through 2002 (5 records in 2002), primarily September-October in Monterey Bay.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break, September-October.
13 September 1996: 30 mi west of Lane Co. (OBRC).
17 September 2000: 50 mi west of Cape Lookout, Tillamook Co. (Owen Schmidt).
Cory's Shearwater Calonectris diomedea
Breeds in Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. At sea October-February, reaching eastern North America in November. Disperses to western Indian Ocean in Austral summer. Vagrant to New Zealand. One record from Cordell Bank, California on August 9, 2003. The same(?) bird at Monterey Bay on August 22 & 23, 2003. One off San Diego, California 5 September 2007.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break, not likely.
No Oregon records.
Greater Shearwater Puffinus gravis
Breeds in central south Atlantic. Rare in Pacific. West Coast records from Alaska to California: 24 February 1979: Monterey Bay, CA.; 1-2 October 1994: Monterey Bay, CA; 24 June 2000: British Columbia north of Cape Flattery, WA; 13 & 15 January 2001: Monterey, CA; 3 August 2001: off Montague Island, Alaska; 8 October 2001: Monterey Bay, CA; 24 August 2002: 40 miles off Westport, WA; 5 October 2003: 10 miles NW Monterey, CA (CBRC status?); 12 October 2003: Monterey Bay, CA (CBRC status?); 12 November 2003: 3 miles off Pt. Joe, Monterey Bay, CA (CBRC status?); 29 August 2004: Bodega Canyon, CA.; 9 September 2006: off Westport, Washington.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break, August-October, or even through winter.
9 August 2008: 18 miles off Newport, Oregon (Greg Gillson, The Bird Guide, Inc.).
Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus
Widespread breeder in tropical Pacific and Indian oceans. Abundant in Hawaii, but perhaps most West Coast records are from birds breeding off Mexico. Eggs June-July in Hawaii, different elsewhere. August to October off California, especially in warm water regimes (especially between the major El Niños of 1982-83 and 1997-98). One Washington record, dead on beach in September 1999. Associates strongly with tuna-porpoise assemblies.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break, or shelf, August-October.
26 March 1999: dead on beach at Newport, Lincoln Co. (Leal 1999).
2 October 1999: 25 nm w. of Depoe Bay (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC).
July 2003: from shore at south jetty of Columbia River (Mike Patterson).
Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas
Breeds Baja. Eggs Feb-March. Regular post-breeding dispersal to northern California, October-November, more in warm water years.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shore, or nearshore, November.
22 November 1992: Bandon, Coos Co., (OBRC).
January year?: Newport (Mark Smith fide Jeff Gilligan).
8 February 1998: Cape Blanco (Jim Rogers).
28-30 August 2000: Boiler Bay (OBRC).
10 April 2001: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
11 November 2001: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering; OBRC).
17 November 2002: South Jetty Columbia River (OBRC).
26 September 2004: Boiler Bay (Wayne Hoffman).
30 October 2004: Boiler Bay (Tom Love).
6 November 2007: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus
Breeds in North Atlantic (primarily British Isles). Eggs April-May. Noticeably increased off NE North America in the 1950's. Began breeding in Newfoundland about 1976. Manx began appearing regularly off California in the 1990’s (12 reports in 1994 from California and Washington). Appearance of juveniles in fall in California fuels speculation of breeding on West Coast or Alaska. Possible breeding on Triangle Island, BC in 1994. "Regularly" encountered on at-sea surveys off British Columbia in summer (Birding 37:4 pages 348-349). Spring and fall migrant off California, with occasional wintering birds in Monterey. Washington, March-October, first record in 1990. Primarily April through September off Pacific Northwest.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shore, nearshore, or shelf, April-November. Increasing rapidly.
6 October 1998: Barview Jetty (Jeff Gilligan).
4 November 1998: Otter Rock (Jeff Gilligan).
1 September 2000: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering; OBRC).
12 September 2000: Boiler Bay (OBRC).
26 May 2001: Ecola State Park (David Mandell).
15 June 2001: South Jetty Columbia River (Todd Thornton).
22 June 2001: 2-3 birds at Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
9 July 2001: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
5 August 2001: 2 birds at Tierra del Mar (Wink Gross).
1 April 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
21 April 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
23 April 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
24 April 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
25 April 2002: 3 birds at Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
30 April 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
5 May 2002: Cape Meares (David Mandell, Robert Lockett).
7 May 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
9 May 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
2 June 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
7 June 2002: 50 miles off Brookings (David Ainley; OBRC).
7 September 2002: Tierra del Mar (OBRC).
18 November 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
5 December 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
1 March 2003: 2 birds 8 miles off Newport (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC, photos).
20 May 2003: 1 mile off Newport (The Bird Guide, Inc., Greg Gillson, Tom Snetsinger).
21 June 2003: South Jetty Columbia River (Mike Patterson).
16 August 2003: 1 mile off Depoe Bay (Troy Guy).
17 September 2003: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
25 September 2003: Boiler Bay (Steve Dinsmore).
31 October 2003: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
2 November 2003: Lost Creek State Park (Darrel Faxon).
6 November 2003: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
1 December 2003: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
15 August 2004: 10 miles off Charleston (Tim Rodenkirk).
1 September 2004: mouth of the Columbia River (Troy Guy).
2 October 2004: 3 miles off Newport (The Bird Guide, Inc., Tim Shelmerdine).
18 November 2004: 1 or 2 birds at Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
5 September 2005: 2-4 birds off Tierra del Mar, Tillamook Co. (Wink Gross).
2 April 2006: 1 bird off Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
26 June 2006: 1 bird from Barview Jetty, Tillamook Co. (Floyd Schrock).
30 September 2006: 1 bird 3 miles off Newport, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., photo by Jay Gilliam, OBRC).
16 October 2006: 1 bird off Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
24 November 2006: 1 bird off Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
1 April 2007: 1 bird off Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
9 May 2007: 1 bird off Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
19 October 2007: 1 bird at Seaside Cove, Clatsop Co. (Mike Patterson).
9 November 2007: 2 birds from Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
10 November 2007: 1 bird from Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
1 March 2008: 6 miles off Newport (The Bird Guide, Inc.).
19 April 2008: 1 bird off Cape Arago, Coos Co. (Russ Namitz).
11 May 2008: 1 bird off Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus or Black-vented Shearwater Puffinus opisthomelas
Black-vented was considered a race of Manx until recently. Hard to tell the difference between these small black-and-white shearwaters without a clear view. Knowledge of separation criteria wasn’t widely available until the mid-1990’s.
31 May 1976: South Jetty Columbia River (Tom Crabtree).
10 September 1977: off Coos Bay, Coos Co. (OBRC accepted as Manx/Black-vented).
17 September 1977: Oceanside, Tillamook Co. (OBRC accepted as Manx/Black-vented).
12 September 1979: Gearhart, Clatsop Co. (OBRC accepted as Manx/Black-vented). Possible Manx.
3 November 1979: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (OBRC accepted as Manx/Black-vented). Probable Manx.
27 September 1980: 2 off Newport (Oregon Birds 6(4):192).
28 March 1982: Newport (Oregon Birds 8(2):50).
9 November 1999: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering; OBRC). Probable Black-vented.
3 May 2000: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering; OBRC). Probable Manx.
11 April 2001: Boiler Bay (OBRC accepted as Manx/Black-vented). Probable Manx.
16 April 2001: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering; OBRC). Probable Manx.
9-10 May 2001: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering submitted as Manx; OBRC accepted as "Manx-type").
15 July 2001: Tierra del Mar, Tillamook Co. (Wink Gross)
4 August 2001: Tierra del Mar, Tillamook Co. (Wink Gross)
30 May 2002: South Jetty Columbia River (Mike Patterson). Probable Black-vented.
13 August 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering). Possible Manx.
25 August 2002: South Jetty Columbia River.
6 September 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering). Possible Manx.
11 October 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
9 November 2002: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering). Probable Manx.
2 May 2003: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering). Probable Manx.
27 October 2003: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering). Probable Manx.
17 October 2004: Spanish Head, Lincoln City (Phil Pickering).
3 November 2004: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
9 November 2004: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
19 April 2005: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
14 November 2006: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering). Probable Black-vented.
15 September 2007: off Ilwaco, but in Oregon waters (fide Harry Nehls). Possible Black-vented.
14 October 2007: Bob's Beach, Lane Co. (fide Harry Nehls).
17 October 2007: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
30 April 2008: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
Little Shearwater Puffinus assimilis
Composed of 10 subspecies breeding in north and south Atlantic, Indian, and South Pacific oceans. Three Atlantic records in North America. First North Pacific record: 29 October 2003: Monterey Bay, CA.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Bulwer’s Petrel Bulweria bulwerii
Abundant. In Pacific breeds off China, Japan, Hawaii. Three California records: 10 July-1 August 1993: n. end Salton Sea, Riverside Co., CA; 26 July 1996: Monterey, CA; 4 September 2003: 30 miles south of San Clemente Island, San Diego Co., CA.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break, slope, July-August.
No Oregon records.
Parkinson's Petrel Procellaria parkinsoni
Breeds New Zealand. Photographed 11 October 2004 off Bodega Bay, California. Photographed near Cordell Bank, California on October 1, 2005. Possible June 1986 off California (Pyle)
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break, October.
22 October 2005: 30 miles off Douglas Lane Cos. (Peter Pyle).
Wilson's Storm-Petrel Oceanites oceanicus
O. o. exasperatus. Breeds Antarctic coastline. Eggs December-January. At sea April-November, primarily in Atlantic (abundant in warm Gulf Stream). In Pacific, regular in good numbers off Peru, north rarely as far as Japan and Washington (July 1984, September 2001, July 2003). Regular in storm-petrel flocks in Monterey Bay, May-November, most from August-October, with up to 45 birds (a maximum of 5 is usual).
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf break or deep water with other storm-petrels, July-October.
31 May 1976: 1 at South Jetty Columbia River, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
24 July 1996: 1 about 80 mi west of Nestucca Bay, Tillamook Co. (OBRC).
13 September 2003: 1 about 20 miles off Columbia River, Clatsop Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., Tim Shelmerdine).
24 November 2006: 1 bird off Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
Black Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma melania
Breeds s. California and Baja. Disperses north to Point Reyes in warm water years. The only Oregon record is during the strong El Niño of 1982-83.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf, September-October, more likely on South Coast.
8 September 1983: 10 at Seaside, Clatsop Co., Oregon (OBRC).
3 May 2007: 1 bird 40 miles off Curry Co., Oregon (Gilligan, Schmidt, Armstrong & Armstrong).
Least Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma microsoma
Breeds Baja. Regular in warm water years to n. California (northernmost, Humboldt Co.).
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf, July-September. More likely on South Coast.
No Oregon records.
Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma tethys
O. t. tethys Breeds Galapagos. At sea to Baja. Several California records: 21 January 1969: Carmel, Monterey Co., CA, 18 August 1976: 20 mi s. Anacapa I., Ventura Co., CA, 24 September-9 October 1977: Monterey Bay, CA, 2-9 October 1983: Monterey, CA, 23 July 1989: 83 nm SW San Nicholas I., San Diego Co., CA.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Slope, or deep water, September-October. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Band-rumped Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma castro
Widespread breeder in Atlantic and Pacific. Nearest breeders in Galapagos. One California record: 12 September 1970: 25 mi W San Diego, CA.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Slope, or deep water, September-October. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Ashy Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma homochroa
Breeds California and Baja. Over 600 birds in September 2001 in Humboldt Co., CA, only 90 miles from Oregon border. Nine birds 8 miles south of Oregon on 20 October 2005. Single bird 30 miles offshore from Westport, Washington on 24 June 2006.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shelf, July-October. More likely on South Coast.
16 August 2005: 115 miles off Cape Lookout, Tillamook Co., Oregon (Peter Pyle).
3 May 2007: 6 bird 45 miles off Coos Co., Oregon (Gilligan, Armstrong & Armstrong, Schmidt, Wright).
3 May 2007: 1 bird 40-45 miles off Curry Co., Oregon (Owen Schmidt).
3 May 2007: 1 bird 40-45 miles off Douglas Co., Oregon (Owen Schmidt).
Hornby's (Ringed) Storm-Petrel Oceanodroma hornbyi
Breeds off western South America. First North American record: 12 miles WSW of San Miguel Island, Santa Barbara Co., California on August 2, 2005.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Not likely.
3 May 2007: 1 bird 45 miles off Coos Co., Oregon (Jeff Gilligan, Nanette Armstrong).
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster
S. l. brewsteri Breeds in Gulf of California. Eggs year-round. Casual to s. California. Washington, October 1997, October 2002, August 2005.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shore, or nearshore, August-October.
3 October 1998: 15 mi WSW of Depoe Bay, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC).
25 July 2005: 20 miles W of Winchester Bay, Douglas Co. (Cameron Hinman)
25 July 2005: On beach at Seaside, Clatsop Co. (Ron Pittard)
Blue-footed Booby Sula nebouxii
Breeds Mexico to Peru. Disperses north to California. Washington September 1935 and August 2006. Eggs year-round.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shore, or nearshore, July-September.
7-9 September 2002: Yaquina Head, Lincoln Co. (Alvaro Jaramillo, photos; OBRC)
Red-footed Booby Sula sula
S. s. websteri Breeds Mexico and Central America. California records: 1975-1994: 11 records, primarily August and October, San Francisco Co. south (CBRC).
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, or nearshore, August-October.
29 October 1988: 2 birds in Yaquina Bay, Lincoln Co. (Jane Helrick, OB 15(2)138-139).
Masked Booby Sula dactylatra
Breeds w. Mexico to Chile (subspecies?). California records: 10 January 1977: SW San Clemente I., Los Angeles Co., 18-22 June 1992: Salinas R. mouth, Monterey Co., 20 June 1992: Point Mugu, Ventura Co., 30 June 1992: Newport Beach, Orange Co., 30 April 1994: 3 mi S White Pt., Los Angeles Co., 9 August 1994: SE Faralon I., San Francisco Co., 29 August 1997: Monterey Bay; 10 & 24 August, 2003: San Clemente Island off San Diego, CA.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, or nearshore, June-August.
15 August 2006: Portland, Multnomah Co. (Portland Audubon rehabilitation center, photos, specimen PSM 23619 Slater Mus. Puget Sound, OBRC)
Nazca Booby Sula granti
Breeds Galapagos. Rare north to California. Split recently from Masked Booby. California records: 5 April 1990: 2 mi W Point Lobos, Monterey Co., (CBRC accepted as Masked Booby before split), and 13 February 1999: Monterey.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, or nearshore, April-June.
No Oregon records.
Magnificent Frigatebird Fregata magnificens
Breeds tropics of Atlantic and E. Pacific oceans, nearest, off Mexico. Eggs variable. Most California records are from summer and early fall. Washington, July 1975, and October 1988.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Shore, or nearshore, July-September.
18 February 1935: dead at Tillamook Light, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
26 July 1963: Coquille Point, Coos Co. (not accepted by OBRC).
24 July 1979: Gold Beach, Curry Co. (OBRC).
2 August 1981: 50 mi w. Cascade Head, Lincoln Co. (BO:S&D).
29 July 1983: Florence, Lane Co., and Yaquina Bay, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
12 July 1986: Yachats (Oregon Birds 13(1):101).
4 March 1987: Big Creek, Lane Co. (BO:S&D).
7-11 March 1987: Charleston, Coos Co. (OBRC).
4 June 1987: Portland, Multnomah Co. (OBRC).
18 August 1987: Yaquina Bay (OBRC).
1 February 1992: Cape Arago, Coos Co. (OBRC).
17 March 2003: Newport, Lincoln Co. (Vivki Hoover, Greg Krutzikowsky, OBRC accepted as Magnificent/Great Frigatebird)
18 March 2003: Sixes River, Curry Co. (Terry Wahl, likely same bird as above).
23 August 2003: 45 miles off Florence, Lane Co. (Jarod Jebousek fide Karen Sparkman)
21 August 2004: 40 miles NW of Newport, Lincoln Co. (Jarod Jebousek & Jock Beal)
8 August 2008: 63 miles NW of Tillamook Co. (Steve Parsons)
Great Frigatebird Fregata minor
F. m. ridgwayi Breeds Revillagigedo, Mexico. Two California records: 13 October 1979: Monterey Co., and 14 March 1992: SE Farallon I., off San Francisco.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, or nearshore, March-October.
No Oregon records.
Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel
Nearest breeding in Christmas Islands in central Pacific. One California record: 15 July 2007 at Arcata, Humboldt Co.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Red-faced Cormorant Phalacrocorax urile
Breeds Japan, Aleutians, east to Cordova, Alaska. May 1999: Near Port Angeles, WA; 14 December 2003: 5 miles south of Victoria, BC.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Red-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon rubricauda
P.r. melanorhynchos Breeds in W. Pacific, Hawaii. California records: 1979-1995: 13 records through 2000 from July-January, primarily San Diego Co., (northernmost Farallon I., San Francisco Co.) 135 nm off Cape Mendocino, Humboldt Co., California, 24 September 2001 (Michael Force). Several records of up to 3 birds per day 200-300 miles off San Francisco in August 2005.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, July-September.
No Oregon records.
White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus
P. l. dorotheae Breeds in tropical Pacific, Hawaii. California records: 24 May-23 June 1964: Newport Bay, Orange Co., December 1989: 300-500 miles off southern California. 22 August 1980: central Arizona.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus
P. a. mesonauta Breeds Gulf of California to Ecuador. Eggs year-round, At sea tropical E. Pacific between California (peak Sep) and Peru; vagrant n to Washington (June 1941). Feeds on flying fish and squid in warm water.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, July-September.
7 September 1945: 460 mi w of Cape Blanco, Curry Co. (BO:S&D).
July 1978: 10 mi w. of Coos Bay, Coos Co. (BO:S&D).
23 April 1992: 10 mi off Tillamook Head (Thompson).
13 May 2008: 25 mi off Florence, Lane Co. (Larry Hawley, photographs).
Red-legged Kittiwake Rissa brevirostris
Breeds Bering Sea. Eggs July. Remains near breeding areas all year. Very rare s. to California, with several February-March records.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Nearshore, or shelf, December-March.
28 January 1933: Dead on beach at DeLake, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
25 March 1951: dead on beach at Waldport, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
12 March 1955: dead on beach at Nehalem, Tillamook Co. (OBRC).
30 December 1981: dead on beach at Cannon Beach, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
24 January 1982: 1 dead on Clatsop Beach, Clatsop Co., (OBRC).
7 August 1983: 15 mi (24 km) west of Tillamook Head, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
16 January 1989: oiled bird on Rockaway Beach, Tillamook Co. OBRC).
5 March 1999: dead at north spit Coos Bay (Ford et al. 2001).
28 December 2003: found ill 30 miles inland near Jewell, Clatsop Co. and taken to a wildlife rehabilitator (Lee Cain, photos, OBRC).
7 March 2007: flying with black-legged kittiwakes in mouth of Columbia River, Clatsop Co. (Mike Patterson).
Thick-billed Murre Uria lomvia
U. l. arri Abundant. Breeds Siberia, Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska. Eggs June-August. Chicks leave colony by mid-August, still unable to fly. At sea quite near breeding colonies. Rare south to Japan or central California (peak September-October, lesser peak in May).
Best chance to see in Oregon: Nearshore, or shelf, August-October.
14 January 1933: dead at Depoe Bay, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
30 January 1933: dead on Sutton Beach, Lane Co. (OBRC).
15 September 1972: dead at South Jetty Columbia River, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
10 April 2001: Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
25 August 2001: oiled bird rehabbed and released in Newport in October. (OBRC).
19 May 2002: Boiler Bay (Wayne Hoffman).
26 June 2002: Bandon (Richard D. Messenger; NOT accepted by OBRC).
27 February 2007: Sunset Beach, Clatsop Co., died in rehab center in Astoria. Mike Patterson, photos, OBRC
5 March 2007: dead on Del Ray Beach, Clatsop Co., (David Bailey).
6 March 2007: probable fly-by at Canon Beach, Clatsop Co., (Mike Patterson).
10 March 2007: dead on Whisky Run Beach, Coos Co., (Russ Namitz).
Long-billed Murrelet Brachyramphus perdix
Breeds Russia and northern Japan, winters south to Korea. Eggs April-June. Long-distance vagrant, found inland across North America (even to Florida). Mlodinov listed 36 North American records by 1997. Researchers of Marbled Murrelets at sea on West Coast responsible for peak in summer records there. Washington, 4 in August (1 inland), and 1 in November.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, or nearshore, July-November.
13 August 1994: Arago Reef, Coos Co. (OBRC).
15 July 1996: north of Coos Bay, Coos Co. (C. Strong).
14 August 1996: north of Bandon, Coos Co. (C. Strong).
30 August 1996: north of the Winchuck R., Curry Co. (C. Strong).
early August 1997: probable on Leaburg Res., Lane Co. (S. Madsen).
22 July 1998: south of the Winchuck R., Curry Co. (Gilligan 1999).
30 July 1998: south of the Yaquina R., Lincoln Co. (C. Strong).
30 July 1998: north of Yachats (near Big Cr.), Lincoln Co. (C. Strong).
30 July 1998: north of Heceta Beach, Lane Co. (C. Strong).
6 November 1998: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Jeff Gilligan).
10 September 2003: Cape Arago, Coos Co.
28 July 2006: 2 birds 4 miles west of Brookings, Curry Co.
Xantus's Murrelet Synthliboramphus hypoleucus hypoleucus
One of two subspecies that are likely to be split into separate species in the future. This is the rarer nominate race, S. h. hypoleuca
Breeds Baja. Eggs Feb-Mar. At sea Aug-Sep n to California. At least 4 Washington records.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, August-October.
June 1973: S. h. hypoleucus 65-165 mi (104-264 km) west of Newport (OBRC).
12 August 2001: S. h. hypoleucus pair 64 nm w Tillamook Head.
16 August 2001: S. h. hypoleucus pair 100 nm w Newport.
6 September 2001: S. h. hypoleucus pair 51 nm w Tillamook Head.
22 September 2001: 30 birds (all that could be identified to subspecies were hypoleucus) 58-67 nm off Waldport, Lincon Co. (Michael Force).
Scripps's (Xantus's) Murrelet Synthliboramphus hypoleucus scrippsi
Breeds s. California. Eggs March-July. Rare in summer and fall north to Washington.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, August-October.
19 November 1969: 2 birds S. h. scrippsi 65 mi w. of Newport, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
28 July 1970: 120 miles off Tillamook Co.
1 September 1970: 2 birds 140 miles off Tillamook Co.
11 October 1979: Yaquina Bay (Oregon Birds 6(1):51).
14 October 1979: South Jetty Columbia River (Oregon Birds 6(1):51).
31 August 1985: 2 about 12 miles offshore, Lane Co. (OBRC).
14 September 1985: 12-18 miles off Garibaldi, Tillamook Co. (OBRC).
15 September 1985: 2 birds 2 mi off Tillamook (Oregon Birds 12(3):218).
27 September 1985: 4 from Cape Meares (Oregon Birds 12(3):218).
7-8 November 1987: Boiler Bay Wayside, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
9 September 1989: 10 miles off Lincoln City (Oregon Birds 16(2):191).
23 July 1991: off Bray's Point, Lane Co. (OBRC accepted as Xantus’s/Craveri’s).
7 October 1995: 2 birds 45 miles west of Newport, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC accepted as Xantus’s/Craveri’s).
late August to early September 1996: several up to 90 mi offshore (Oregon Birds 23(2):81).
4 September 1997: 2 about 22 miles west of Beverly Beach, Lincoln Co. (fide Harry Nehls).
13 September 1997: from the South Jetty of the Columbia River, Clatsop Co. (fide Harry Nehls).
26 June 1998: dead on the N. Spit of Coos Bay, Coos Co. (OBRC).
12 September 1998: 2 birds 25 mi off Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc.).
13 December 1999: 20 mi off Curry Co. (Michael Force).
17 September 2000: Xantus's/Craveri's 50 mi off Curry Co. (Gilligan).
14 June 2001: South Jetty Columbia River (Mike Patterson, Korpi 2001c, OBRC).
10 August 2001: S. h. scrippsi about 25 mi off Newport (The Bird Guide, Inc., OBRC).
15 September 2001: S. h. scrippsi pair off Garibaldi, Tillamook Co. (OBRC)
2 October 2001: pair Boiler Bay.
5 October 2002: S. h. scrippsi 5 birds 35-50 nm off Yachats, Lincoln Co. (The Bird Guide, Inc., Greg Gillson, OBRC accepted one pair as submitted as Xantus’s/Craveri’s, others under review).
17 August 2005: 1 fly-away Xantus's/Craveri's about 50 miles off Tillamook/Lincoln Co. coast (Peter Pyle).
20 September 2005: 1 about 40 miles off Coos Bay (Gilligan, Janzen).
25 September 2006: 73 birds 60 miles offshore from a cruise ship, 1 off Tillamook Co. the rest off Lincoln Co., 10 seen well enough to eliminate Craveri's (Jeff Gilligan, Owen Schmidt).
16 November 2006: 3 birds at Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
25 August 2007: S. h. scrippsi 4 birds (2 pairs) off Newport, Lincoln Co. (photos Greg Gillson, The Bird Guide, Inc.).
17 September 2007: 5 birds 55 miles offshore from a cruise ship, 1 off Lincoln Co., 1 heard-only (scrippsi) off Lane Co., 3 off Curry Co. (Jeff Gilligan, Owen Schmidt, Greg Gillson).
6 October 2007: 1 pair 20 miles off Newport, Lincoln Co. (Lisa Scheffield, The Bird Guide, Inc.).
Craveri’s Murrelet Synthliborramphus craveri
Breeds s. Baja. Regular in California.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, July-October.
21 June 2003: Possible fly-by at South Jetty Columbia River (Mike Patterson).
15 August 2005: 3 pairs of Xantus's/Craveri's (felt most-likely Craveri's) between 162 miles WSW of Cape Disappointment and 154 miles W of Cape Meares (Peter Pyle).
Kittlitz’s Murrelet Brachyramphus brevirostris
Breeds Bering Sea, Aleutians, se Alaska. 16-17 August 1969: La Jolla, San Diego Co., CA.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, or nearshore, September-November.
8 May 2005: Probable fly-by at Boiler Bay (Phil Pickering).
7 July 2005: two birds 93 nautical miles off Florence, Lane Co. (Peter Pyle).
Parakeet Auklet Aethia psittacula
Breeds Bering Sea, Aleutians, Prince William Sound. Eggs June-August. At sea, October-March, south casually to Japan and California (66 records from 1895-1993, most December-April, peak January). About a dozen Washington records, February-April.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Deep water, nearshore, or from shore, November-March.
1 January 1913: dead on beach at Netarts Bay, Tillamook Co. (OBRC).
17 January 1914: dead on beach at Newport, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
21 February 1932: dead on beach at Taft, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
5 February 1933: dead on beach at Delake, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
23 February 1933: 3 dead on beach Sunset Beach, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
26 February 1933: dead on beach at Gleneden, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
13 August 1977: 2 at Cape Meares, Tillamook Co. (Greg Gillson).
3 December 1977: dead on Bayocean Beach (OBRC).
18 April 1982: dead on beach at Wandamere Beach, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
7 September 1986: 4 birds 20 mi (32 km) west of Garibaldi, Tillamook Co. (OBRC).
7 November 1986: 2 birds from Cape Meares (not accepted by OBRC).
12 December 1994: dead on beach at Clatsop Beach, Clatsop Co. (OBRC).
24 February 1996: dead on beach at Beverly Beach, Lincoln Co. (OBRC).
5 March 1999: 4 dead Sunset Beach, Clatsop Co.
6 March 1999: dead Newport, Lincoln Co. (fide Roy Lowe).
8 March 1999: dead Newport, Lincoln Co. (fide Roy Lowe).
16 March 1999: dead at Beverly Beach, Lincoln Co.
17 September 2000: 50 mi (81 km) west of Seaside, Clatsop Co. (Korpi 2001).
17 September 2000: 50 mi (81 km) west of Curry Co. (Gilligan, Korpi 2001, OBRC).
4 November 2000: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co..
17 November 2000: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co..
21 February 2005: Inside jetties, mouth of Tillamook Bay, Tillamook Co.
6 February 2006: 2 dead on beach 5 miles south of Newport, Lincoln Co. (Bob Loeffel).
16 November 2006: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
22 November 2006: Boiler Bay, Lincoln Co. (Phil Pickering).
January 2008: Hit a boat; brought to rehabilitator, Lincoln Co. (fide Stacy Strickland).
Least Auklet Aethia pusilla
Breeds Bering Sea, Aleutians. 15 June 1981: Thornton, San Mateo Co., CA.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, April-July. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
Whiskered Auklet Aethia pygmaea
Breeds Aleutians.
Best chance to see in Oregon: Not likely.
27 March 2007: From Ecola State Park, Clatsop Co. (Bob Stites, Jeff Gilligan, Shawneen Finnegan).
Crested Auklet Aethia cristatella
Breeds Bering Sea, Aleutians. One Mexican record. 16-17 July 1979: Bolinas, Marin Co., CA; 24 June 1995: Bodega Head, Sonoma Co., CA; 5 September - 4 October 2003: Pedder Bay, Vancouver Island, BC.
Best chance to see in Oregon: From shore, April-July. Not likely.
No Oregon records.
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