Short-tailed Shearwater
NameShort-tailed Shearwater
Common NameShort-tailed Shearwater
Scientific NameArdenna tenuirostris
FamilyProcellariidae
Wingspan (cm)99
Length (cm)43
Weight (g)700
Plumage DetailsOverall dark sooty-brown plumage, appearing almost black in some lights, with slightly paler underparts. The bill is slender and dark, and the legs and feet are dark.
Vocalization / CallAt breeding colonies, they produce a variety of croaking, cackling, and moaning calls, often described as 'ka-wo-ah' or 'koo-roo-kah'. They are generally silent at sea.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatscoastal
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeBreeds primarily on islands off southeastern Australia and Tasmania. After breeding, they undertake a massive migration to the North Pacific Ocean, including the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean, before returning south.
Identifying FeaturesDark sooty-brown plumage, Short tail, Slender dark bill, Pelagic behavior, Distinctive low-skimming flight
Description
The Short-tailed Shearwater is a medium-sized seabird known for its extensive annual migration across the Pacific Ocean. It has a compact body and a distinctive flight pattern, often skimming low over the waves. This species spends most of its life at sea, coming ashore only to breed.
