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A Beginners Guide to North American Shearwaters




Shearwaters differ from Fulmars in having longer, narrower wings,
a narrow tail, and a longer, thinner bill.


Their flight pattern is similar - a few deep wing beats and a long glide,
usually close to the water.

Food of the Shearwater is small fish and crustaceans, some species
follow ships for scraps or scavenge for food at offshore dumps.


Usually shearwaters only visit land to breed. They lay 1 egg in burrows
and rock crevices or under grass, bushes or even  in the open.
Many species spend the day feeding out  at sea and only return to
their nests at night.


Shearwaters dive into the water or skim across its surface.

Like other members of the Tubenoses, Shearwaters also have
tube-like nostrils at the base of their beaks.

In most species, the top of the wings, back and head are dark brown
in color. The lighter color of the underbody varies between species.

Picture Shearwater




Types of Shearwaters:

Audubon's Shearwater
Black-vented Shearwater
Buller's Shearwater
Cory's Shearwater
Greater Shearwater
Flesh-footed Shearwater
Manx Shearwater
Pink-footed Shearwater
Short-tailed Shearwater
Sooty Shearwater
Streaked Shearwater


See Also:

Index of North American Birds


Index of All Bird Care & Birdie Fun Stuff

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