Balearic Shearwater
NameBalearic Shearwater
Common NameBalearic Shearwater
Scientific NamePuffinus mauretanicus
FamilyProcellariidae
Wingspan (cm)83
Length (cm)34
Weight (g)510
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is dark sooty-brown on the upperparts, head, and neck, contrasting with dull whitish or greyish-brown underparts. The underparts can appear smudged or mottled, particularly on the flanks and undertail coverts. The underwing is pale with darker edges.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent at sea, but at breeding colonies, it produces guttural croaking and cackling calls, often described as a 'caw-caw-caw' or 'arr-arr-arr'.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statuscritically-endangered
Geographic RangeBreeds exclusively on islands within the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea. After breeding, it migrates to the Atlantic Ocean, ranging from the Iberian Peninsula north to the British Isles and occasionally Scandinavia, and south to North Africa.
Identifying FeaturesDark brown upperparts with paler, smudgy underparts, Long, narrow wings held stiffly during gliding flight, Flies low over the waves with characteristic shearwater flight, Relatively short tail, Dark bill
Description
The Balearic Shearwater is a medium-sized seabird known for its distinctive gliding flight low over the water. It exhibits dark brown upperparts and paler, often smudgy, underparts. This species spends most of its life at sea, coming ashore only to breed.
