The Farallon Islands are home to one of the largest Brandt’s Cormorant breeding colonies in the world and the Sanctuary is considered an extremely important habitat for these seabirds. Like many seabirds, Brandt’s Cormorants also feed in the Sanctuary, relying on the rich food sources of the upwelling current. During breeding season March-July, males show vibrant blue plumage to attract females.

The Sanctuary is an extremely important habitat for Common Murres as feeding and breeding grounds. They are year-round residents of northern and central California, nesting in large colonies on the Farallones and other islands and remote cliffs along the coastline; and seasonal visitors to southern California in winter months.

The Sanctuary is an extremely important habitat for the Pigeon Guillemot. They are common in the spring and summer months and can be found nesting on the Farallon Islands or the mainland on cliffs or even under buildings.

The Sanctuary is considered an extremely important feeding habitat for Marbled murrelets, which are classified as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. They spend most of their time at sea feeding but nest inland usually on large forest trees from April-September, flying up to 50 miles from the Pacific Ocean to land to nest in redwood forests of California, Oregon, and Washington. Old growth redwood forests provide critical nesting habitat for these rare birds and because of this, logging activities are restricted in areas of redwood forest habitat where Marbled Murrelets are known to nest.

Rhinoceros Auklets use the Sanctuary as nesting and feeding grounds. While they are often far from land, they may return to nearshore habitat to feed. The Sanctuary’s strong upwelling currents bring rich abundance of fish and invertebrates for them to feed on.

The Sanctuary is an extremely important habitat for Cassin’s Auklets. They spend much of their time at sea near areas of upwelling like in the Sanctuary where there is an abundance of food. They are found nesting on the Farallon Islands and other islands near the Continental Shelf.

Perhaps the most recognizable seabird, Western Gulls are very common in the Sanctuary. They can be found on or near shore or far out to sea, and nest on mainland and island cliffs. The largest Western Gull colony is on the Farallon Islands.

The Sanctuary is considered an extremely important habitat for Brown Pelicans. The California Brown Pelican is a permanent resident of the coastal marine environment on the US West Coast. They can be spotted in the sanctuary floating on the water, gliding near the surface, and diving from great heights for food.

The Sanctuary is an extremely important habitat for the Black-footed Albatross. They travel thousands of miles to feed in Sanctuary’s nutrient-rich waters and gather food to return to their chicks. They spend most of their lives on the open ocean but nest on islands or sandy beaches, mostly on the Hawaiian islands.

Tufted Puffins breed on the Farallon Islands and Channel Islands, and mainland coastlines throughout the North Pacific. They also form dense breeding colonies in cooler areas around Alaska and Canada and return to the Sanctuary’s warmer waters to feed.

The Sanctuary is extremely important to this species as breeding and foraging habitat. In the Sanctuary, Ashy Storm-Petrels nest on the Farallon Islands and feed on the open ocean off the edge of the Continental Shelf.