Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus) Bird Information

Manx Shearwater bird information and facts

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

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 +