Xanthus's Murrelets are small birds weighing only six ounces. They are under ten inches in length with a wing span of fifteen inches. Their upper parts, legs and feet are black. Their underwings, underparts, chin and cheeks are white.
They are thought to be monogamous. These birds nest on breeding colony island in cliff crevices. They sometimes nest in vegetation on the ground. There is only about ten different nesting locations. Males and females take turns incubating their eggs. The chicks are taken out to sea by the parents only two days after hatching. They are the only sea bird to totally raise their young at sea.
They are seldom seen from shore. They prefer the deep ocean waters.
Xanthus's Murrelet is classified and endangered in Mexico, threatened in California and is a candidate species for federal listing in the United States.
Xanthus's Murrelet has been divided into two species, Guadalupe Murrelet and Scripps's Murrelet.
At the time I placed this cache the road along Martha Lake was closed to vehicles due to the current fire hazard. You can park at the gate and walk in.
***Congratulations to kwitt82 for First To Find!***