Little Shearwater

Puffinus assimilisOrder: PROCELLARIIFORMESFamily: Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae)
Little Shearwater Portrait_2
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Range Map for Little Shearwater

Overview

Little Shearwater: Tiny shearwater, dark brown upperparts and white underparts; dark cap extends only to eye. Bill is short and black. Swims and dives for food, picks food off surface of water. Feeds on fish and squid. Flight is low, fast and straight, alternates rapid wing beats and banking glides.

Range and Habitat

Little Shearwater: Breeds on scattered islands on the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, roams widely in the Southern Hemisphere or eastern Atlantic Ocean in the nonbreeding season. Recorded three times on the Atlantic Coast of North America.

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Listen:

Voice Text

Generally silent

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Related Birds:

Black-vented Shearwater
Cook's Petrel
Manx Shearwater
Stejneger's Petrel
Audubon's Shearwater
.

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Family Petrel (Procellariidae)_blue
Species Puffinus assimilis
Length10 - 12 Inches
Wingspan23 - 27 Inches

Little Shearwater

Little Shearwater: Tiny shearwater, dark brown upperparts and white underparts; dark cap extends only to eye. Bill is short and black. Swims and dives for food, picks food off surface of water. Feeds on fish and squid. Flight is low, fast and straight, alternates rapid wing beats and banking glides.

● Song: Generally silent

● Foraging & Feeding: Little Shearwater: Feeds on fish, squid, and crustaceans. Dives and swims for food, also picks food off surface of water, pattering with feet across water while holding wings above back.

● Breeding & nesting: Little Shearwater: Nests in colonies on rocky or grassy islands. Lays one white egg in burrow or rock crevice. Both parents incubate for 52 to 58 days, alternating every 2 days. Chick flies at 70 to 75 days.

● Similar species: Little Shearwater: Audubon Shearwater is slightly larger, has a dark face, and more dark coloration on its underwings.

Flight Pattern

Alternates high soaring arcs and glides with rapid wing beats.
Little Shearwater Body Illustration_2
● Range & Habitat: Little Shearwater: Breeds on scattered islands on the oceans of the Southern Hemisphere, roams widely in the Southern Hemisphere or eastern Atlantic Ocean in the nonbreeding season. Recorded three times on the Atlantic Coast of North America.
BreedingColonial
PopulationAbundant on breeding grounds
MigrationMigratory
Weight8 Ounces