Greater Shearwater

Puffinus gravisOrder: PROCELLARIIFORMESFamily: Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae)

Breeding Location:

Islands, sandy or rocky



Breeding Type:

Large colonies



Breeding Population:



Egg Color:

White



Number of Eggs:

1



Incubation Days:

55



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

No material added to nest.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Greater Shearwater: Large shearwater, scaled, gray-brown upperparts, white underparts, brown markings on belly. Dark cap contrasts with white face. Tail is dark above with conspicuous white rump band and gray below. Dark, hooked bill. Pink legs, feet. Flies on deep wing beats followed by long glide.

Range and Habitat

Greater Shearwater: Breeds on islands of Tristan de Cunha in South Atlantic. Spends May to early November as a nonbreeding visitor to the north Atlantic. Pelagic; only comes ashore to breed.

Breeding and Nesting

Greater Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a burrow on a grassy slope. Eggs are incubated for 55 days by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Greater Shearwater: Feeds mainly on small fish and squid. Chases prey underwater by paddling its feet, with wings held partially opened.

Readily Eats

Vocalization

Greater Shearwater: Gives a low nasal, squealing call when resting on water.

Similar Species

Greater Shearwater: Cory's Shearwater is slightly larger and has a yellow bill.

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Family Shearwater (Procellariidae)_blue
Species Puffinus gravis
Length19 Inches
Wingspan44 Inches

Greater Shearwater

Greater Shearwater: Large shearwater, scaled, gray-brown upperparts, white underparts, brown markings on belly. Dark cap contrasts with white face. Tail is dark above with conspicuous white rump band and gray below. Dark, hooked bill. Pink legs, feet. Flies on deep wing beats followed by long glide.

● Song: Generally silent

● Foraging & Feeding: Greater Shearwater: Feeds mainly on small fish and squid. Chases prey underwater by paddling its feet, with wings held partially opened.

● Breeding & nesting: Greater Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a burrow on a grassy slope. Eggs are incubated for 55 days by both parents.

● Similar species: Greater Shearwater: Cory's Shearwater is slightly larger and has a yellow bill.

Flight Pattern

Glides on stiff wings.
Greater Shearwater Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Greater Shearwater: Breeds on islands of Tristan de Cunha in South Atlantic. Spends May to early November as a nonbreeding visitor to the north Atlantic. Pelagic; only comes ashore to breed.
BreedingLarge colonies
Population
MigrationMigratory
Weight30.4 Ounces