One possibility, not considered in comments is light morph Wedge-tailed Shearwater which also has a grayish bill with dusky tip. It is difficult to assess the tail shape in this photo, but the head and bill pattern seems reasonably consistent with Wedge-tailed which has been recorded in Monterey Bay on a few of occasions. However, only two of those were light morph birds photographed 31 August 1986 and 26 September 1999 (click here for photos). I assume this bird was too small to be a Wedge-tailed but it is difficult to tell from this single photograph. Perhaps people with more experience with Wedge-tailed or those who saw this bird in life might be willing to comment.
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Photo © 1997 Greg Lasley. All rights reserved. |
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