Galapagos Shearwater
NameGalapagos Shearwater
Common NameGalapagos Shearwater
Scientific NamePuffinus subalaris
FamilyProcellariidae
Wingspan (cm)64
Length (cm)28.5
Weight (g)145
Plumage DetailsThe plumage is dark sooty-brown on the upperparts, including the head, nape, back, and upperwings. The underparts are clean white, with a sharp demarcation line between the dark upperparts and white underparts. The underwings are predominantly white with dark trailing edges and tips.
Vocalization / CallGenerally silent at sea, but at breeding colonies, they produce a variety of vocalizations including cackling, croaking, and wheezing calls, often described as a series of 'ka-ka-ka-kow' or 'kee-a-wick' sounds.
Primary Dietpiscivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Geographic RangeEndemic to the Galapagos Islands, where it breeds on various islands within the archipelago and forages in the surrounding marine waters.
Identifying Featuresdark brown upperparts, clean white underparts, sharp demarcation between dark and white plumage, long, slender bill with hooked tip, stiff-winged gliding flight low over water
Description
The Galapagos Shearwater is a small, dark-backed seabird with contrasting white underparts, endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It exhibits a characteristic stiff-winged gliding flight, often skimming low over the ocean surface while searching for prey. This species is highly pelagic, only returning to land to breed in burrows.
