Record of Markham's Storm Petrel Hydrobates markhami in La Paz, Bolivia

Abstract

Markham's Storm Petrel Hydrobates markhami is typically found in pelagic waters off Chile, Peru and rarely Ecuador. We report an exceptional record of a grounded fledgling in La Paz, Bolivia, far from its usual habitat and range, possibly as a result of storms or other climatic factors, >300 km from the nearest breeding colonies in northern Chile. The species breeds in the Atacama Desert, with the young flying west to the sea on fledging, but young of other seabirds can become lost due to relatively poorly understood factors, such as light pollution and, more uncommonly, even human intervention. This is the first record of the species in Bolivia and one of the first records of any Procellariform in the country.