Manx Shearwater

Puffinus puffinusOrder: PROCELLARIIFORMESFamily: Petrels and Shearwaters (Procellariidae)
Manx Shearwater Portrait
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Range Map for Manx Shearwater

Overview

Manx Shearwater: Small shearwater with brown-black upperparts and white underparts, underwings and undertail coverts. Black cap is darker than back. The bill is dark. Wings are long, slim, and straight. Tail is short and pointed. Feeds on fish and squid. Alternates long glides and rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Manx Shearwater: Breeds mainly in eastern Atlantic, but also on islands off Newfoundland, and in Massachusetts (one record). Uncommon visitor off the eastern U.S. coast. Pelagic, comes ashore only to breed.

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Listen:

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Voice Text

Generally silent

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Related Birds:

Black-vented Shearwater
Greater Shearwater
Pink-footed Shearwater
Streaked Shearwater
Buller's Shearwater
Audubon's Shearwater
Cory's Shearwater
Little Shearwater
.

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Family Shearwater (Procellariidae)_blue
Species Puffinus puffinus
Length13.5 Inches
Wingspan33 Inches

Manx Shearwater

Manx Shearwater: Small shearwater with brown-black upperparts and white underparts, underwings and undertail coverts. Black cap is darker than back. The bill is dark. Wings are long, slim, and straight. Tail is short and pointed. Feeds on fish and squid. Alternates long glides and rapid wing beats.

● Song: Generally silent

● Foraging & Feeding: Manx Shearwater: Feeds on small fish and shellfish; forages on the surface and by plunge diving.

● Breeding & nesting: Manx Shearwater: One white egg is laid in a burrow or rock crevice. Incubation ranges from 52 to 54 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Manx Shearwater: Audubon's Shearwater has a longer tail and dark undertail coverts. Greater and Cory's shearwaters are larger.

Flight Pattern

Fast wing-beat interspersed with glides.
Manx Shearwater Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Manx Shearwater: Breeds mainly in eastern Atlantic, but also on islands off Newfoundland, and in Massachusetts (one record). Uncommon visitor off the eastern U.S. coast. Pelagic, comes ashore only to breed.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationYes but uncommon
MigrationMigratory
Weight16 Ounces