Sooty Shearwater

Puffinus griseusOrder: PROCELLARIIFORMESFamily: Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae)
Sooty Shearwater Portrait
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Range Map for Sooty Shearwater

Overview

Sooty Shearwater: Large shearwater with dark gray-brown body, darkest on tail and primaries. Underwing coverts are pale. Bill is long and dark. Legs and feet are black. Eats fish, squid and crustaceans. Long, narrow wings are slightly swept-back. Alternates strong direct flapping with long glides.

Range and Habitat

Sooty Shearwater: Breeds on islands off southern South America and New Zealand. Spends summers in north Pacific and north Atlantic. Pelagic, only comes ashore to breed.

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Listen:

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Voice Text

"koo-wah, koo-wah, koo-wah"

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Related Birds:

Northern Fulmar
Short-tailed Shearwater
Flesh-footed Shearwater
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Murphy's Petrel
Herald Petrel
.

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Family Shearwater (Procellariidae)_blue
Species Puffinus griseus
Length18 - 20 Inches
Wingspan40 Inches

Sooty Shearwater

Sooty Shearwater: Large shearwater with dark gray-brown body, darkest on tail and primaries. Underwing coverts are pale. Bill is long and dark. Legs and feet are black. Eats fish, squid and crustaceans. Long, narrow wings are slightly swept-back. Alternates strong direct flapping with long glides.

● Song: "koo-wah, koo-wah, koo-wah"

● Foraging & Feeding: Sooty Shearwater: Feeds on fish, squid, crustaceans, and offal from fishing boats; forages by making short plunge dives.

● Breeding & nesting: Sooty Shearwater: One white egg is laid in burrow lined with leaves and grass. Incubation ranges from 52 to 56 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Sooty Shearwater: Short-tailed Shearwater is smaller and has a steeper forehead. Flesh-footed Shearwater has pink legs and bill.

Flight Pattern

Alternates between strong flapping flight and gliding.
Sooty Shearwater Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Sooty Shearwater: Breeds on islands off southern South America and New Zealand. Spends summers in north Pacific and north Atlantic. Pelagic, only comes ashore to breed.
BreedingColonial
PopulationAbundant
MigrationMigratory
Weight28.8 Ounces