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Seabirds and mammals take advantage of the remote rocky islands off the coast of California. Farallon National Wildlife Refuge supports the largest seabird nesting colony in the contiguous United States. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded on the refuge, and five species of marine mammals pup or haul out on the refuge.
Twenty-five percent of breeding seabird populations in California occur on the Farallon islands. Thirteen species nest on the islands including Leach's Storm-petrel; Ashy Storm-petrel; Fork-tailed Storm-petrel; Double-crested Cormorant; Brandt's Cormorant; Pelagic Cormorant; Black Oystercatcher; Western Gull; Common Murre; Pigeon Guillemot; Cassin's Auklet; Rhinocerous Auklet; and Tufted Puffin. PRBO Conservation Science has been monitoring these seabird populations since 1971.
Northern fur seals, Stellar sea lions, California sea lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals breed or haul-out onto Farallon Refuge. Populations of some species are on the rise.
In addition to seabirds, the refuge is home to a variety of endemic species including white sharks, hoary bats, and arboreal salamanders.
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Farallon National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
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