Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) Bird Information
Manx Shearwater is the most common and widespread of British shearwaters; usually seen in fast careering flight low over sea, or resting on sea awaiting the cover of darkness to return to breeding colonies.
Black above and white below, with broad black margins to the underwing. In typical shearwater flight, flashes alternately black and white as turns low over waves on straight, stiff wings.
Status: breeds on islands in west and north; elsewhere passage migrants.
Similar Species: in some lights may resemble Mediterranean Shearwater.
Manx Shearwater Bird Facts
Type | gull-like |
Size | 30 – 38 cm (12 – 15 in) |
Habitat | sea and small islands on water and ground |
Behavior | swim, takes off and lands on water and ground |
Flocking | 1-many thousands |
Flight | strong and powerful; gliding; undulating |
Voice | loud walls and screams at breeding colonies. |
Manx Shearwater Bird Identification
Ad.N.Atlan | |
Crown | black |
Upperparts | black |
Rump | black |
Tail | black; short and rounded |
Throat | white |
Breast | white |
Belly | white |
Bill | black; short and thing |
Legs | grey; short |
Breeding
Nest | burrow, crevice |
Eggs | 1; white |
Incubation | 52 – 54 days |
Young | helpless, downy |
Fledging | 59 – 62 days |
Broods | 1; May-Sept. |
Food | fish, squid, crustaceans |
Population | 300,000 pair + |